Hanshew’s prediction: Jalen Brunson will drop 30+ points tonight with a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead vs. the Celtics.
Photo By – Imagn Images. Jalen Brunson drives against Jrue Holiday.
The Boston Celtics avoided a 3-0 series deficit with a convincing win over the New York Knicks on Saturday.
My Celtics vs Knicks predictions expect Jalen Brunson to take over and Karl-Anthony Towns to do what he does best in what will be a much closer game at Madison Square Garden.
Read more in my NBA picks for Monday, May 12.
Who will win Celtics vs Knicks Game 4?
I’m taking the Boston Celtics, but I expect the New York Knicks to keep things close.
Boston could realistically be up 3-0 in this series if not for their historically egregious 20-point blown leads in Games 1 and 2. After getting back on track in Game 3, I expect Boston to continue its hot play in Game 4.
Prediction: Celtics to win
Celtics vs Knicks prediction
My best bet: Jalen Brunson 30+ points (+130 at bet365)
Jalen Brunson has proven he’s one of the game’s best postseason scorers, but he hasn’t had a monster scoring performance against the Celtics. Brunson scored 29 in Game 1, 17 in Game 2, and 27 in Game 3. For the series, he’s shooting just 38.1% from the field, but some positive regression is in store.
In the six-game series against Detroit, Brunson averaged 31.5 points on 43.6% shooting. New York’s leading scorer dropped at least 30 points in five of six in that series, but he hasn’t reached that scoring mark at all in this series.
Since arriving in New York in 2022-23, Brunson has averaged 30 points in the playoffs, and he’s scored 30 or more in 16 of 33 appearances. Only Devin Booker (32.1) has averaged more postseason points across the last three seasons.
Brunson won Clutch Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, thanks to his late-game heroics and timely shot-making. With the prospect of going up 3-1 in this series with at least one more game at Boston, this is as clutch a moment as any for Brunson to deliver.
Brunson scored at least 30 points in 27 of 74 games this season, and other than his final four games of the regular season, he didn’t go more than three games between 30-point performances all year.
The Knicks need a monster performance from Brunson in Game 4, and I expect him to cross the 30-point threshold for the first time in this series. His scoring line is set at 27.5 for -115 odds, but I’m happy to bet it up by one bucket for plus-money odds.
Celtics vs Knicks same-game parlay
Jalen Brunson 30+ points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 31.5 points+rebounds
Knicks +6.5
Karl-Anthony Towns has dominated in each of the last two games, averaging 21 points and 16 rebounds. He’s averaged just over 30 points+rebounds across nine playoff games, hitting the Over on this line in five of them.
Across seven matchups with Boston this season, he’s averaged 32.6 points+rebounds and hit the Over four times. Towns has a favorable matchup against a shorthanded Celtics frontcourt, and I expect him to take advantage. Kristaps Porzingis has been limited to fewer than 20 minutes in each of the first three games due to a lingering illness, and Towns should rack up points and boards yet again without KP’s interior defense.
As the broadcasters noted on Saturday, “Game 3 was essentially a Game 7 for the Celtics.” On the brink of falling into a 3-0 hole, the C’s played like their playoff lives were on the line and delivered a big win.
Boston won the first three head-to-head matchups with New York in blowout fashion, but New York has kept the score within three points in three of the last four. During New York’s playoff run, the score has been within six points in seven of nine games and three points in six. The Knicks are 6-3 ATS this postseason, and the team is 19-14 ATS following a loss.
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Celtics vs Knicks odds
Celtics vs Knicks live odds
Celtics vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Boston -6 (-110) | New York +6 (-110)
- Moneyline: Boston -245 | New York +200
- Over/Under: Over 208 (-110) | Under 208 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Celtics vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- New York has covered the spread in three of its last four matchups with Boston.
- The Celtics and Knicks are 1-3-1 to the Under across their last five matchups.
Celtics vs Knicks trend
The Boston Celtics have hit the Team Total Under in 63 of their last 96 games (+25.80 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Knicks.
How to watch Celtics vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Monday, 5-12-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Celtics vs Knicks latest injuries
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