As the second round of the NBA Playoffs continues, fans are eagerly awaiting the Eastern Conference Semifinals featuring a compelling matchup between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. This series, already off to an unexpected start, presents several interesting angles for those following betting trends.
Game 2 is set to take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston. Analyzing the available betting information, team statistics, and recent performance provides insight into the potential outcomes and associated wagers for this pivotal game.
Analyzing the Spread: A Significant Disadvantage?
The Celtics enter Game 2 as substantial 10.5-point favorites over the New York Knicks. The odds for covering this spread are set at -110 for both the Celtics (-10.5) and the Knicks (+10.5).
While Boston has been successful this season, winning 59 out of 77 games, or 76.6% of contests in which they were the favorite, their performance against the spread has been less dominant. In the context of NBA playoff betting, such discrepancies between outright wins and spread coverage are crucial for bettors evaluating risk.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have won 25% of the 16 contests where they were chosen as underdogs this year. Bettors should also factor in the fact that in head-to-head matchups over the last five games show Boston holding a 3-2 advantage against the spread versus New York.
Celtics’ ATS Performance
Looking at the season as a whole, the Celtics have a 39-win record against the spread out of 82 games played. More specifically concerning large spreads, Boston has an against the spread record of 13-22 in their 35 games as a favorite of 10.5 points or more this season.
This suggests that while they often win when heavily favored, they do not always cover the large point differential set by oddsmakers.
Knicks as Underdogs
The Knicks’ overall record against the spread for the season is also 39 wins in 82 games. The sources indicate that New York has yet to cover the spread this season when listed as underdogs by 10.5 points or more, implying they have not previously been underdogs by this large a margin.
Their recent performance against the spread has been more favorable, with a 6-4 record over their last 10 contests.
The Total Points Debate: Over or Under 210.5?
The total over/under for Game 2 is set at 210.5 points. Historical data for both teams this season indicates a tendency for games to exceed this number.
Celtics games have surpassed 210.5 points in 68 out of their 82 contests this season. Similarly, 64 of the Knicks’ 82 games this year have featured a combined total higher than 210.5 points scored.
Collectively, the two teams average 232.1 points per game, which is 21.6 more than the current game total. Their opponents average a combined 218.9 points per game, exceeding the 210.5 over/under by 8.4 points.
Team Offense and Defense Metrics
Providing context for the over/under, both teams feature potent offenses. The Celtics average 116.3 points scored per game this season, ranking them 8th in the league. They allow opponents 107.2 points per game, placing them 2nd defensively.
The Knicks average 115.8 points scored per game, ranking 9th. New York allows opponents 111.7 points per game, which ranks 9th.
When the Knicks score more than 107.2 points (what the Celtics allow), they hold a strong 35-21-2 record against the spread and a 46-12 record overall. The Celtics score 4.6 more points per game than the Knicks allow.
Home Court Disadvantage? Boston’s Struggles at TD Garden
Despite TD Garden being the venue for Game 2, the Celtics have faced some struggles when playing at home this season.
Boston’s home record for 2024-25 stands at 28 wins and 13 losses, a notable contrast to their stronger 33-win and 8-loss performance on the road. This trend diverges from their previous season’s record of 37 home wins.
This inconsistency at TD Garden raises questions about their ability to perform under pressure, especially after losing Game 1 at home.
Home Court ATS Performance
The Celtics’ record against the spread shows a clear split between home and away games. Boston has a worse record against the spread when playing at home (18-23-0) compared to their performance in road games (21-19-1). Furthermore, Boston has won a lower percentage of their games at home (.683) than they have on the road (.861).
Recent Form and Game 1 Insights
Recent performance offers additional betting context. Over their last 10 contests, the Celtics have a 7-3 overall record but are 4-6 against the spread during that span. Boston’s average total points scored over their last 10 games is 3.8 points fewer than the 210.5 total set for Game 2.
The Knicks have a 6-4 overall record and are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 games. New York and their opponents have combined to score an average of 218.6 points over the last 10 games, which is 8.1 points higher than the Game 2 over/under of 210.5.
Game 1 saw the Knicks complete a 20-point comeback to win in overtime, with the Celtics struggling significantly from three-point range, making just 15 of 60 attempts.
This outcome, combined with Boston’s overall slow pace (2nd slowest in the regular season, 15th in the playoffs) and New York’s ability to exploit a stagnant offense, are key factors to consider for Game 2 predictions.
Navigating a Complex Series Landscape
As Game 2 of the Celtics-Knicks series approaches, bettors face a complex landscape shaped by inconsistent spread coverage, offensive output trends, and home-road dynamics.
Boston remains a statistical powerhouse, but recent form, Game 1 results, and ATS patterns suggest that expectations should be tempered. With New York proving capable of capitalizing on Boston’s weaknesses, this Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup offers high-stakes intrigue both on the court and at the sportsbook.
