Knicks vs Celtics predictions
The New York Knicks head into Game 5 with an air of confidence—and you can see why when you look at the way Jalen Brunson has been managing the floor lately. I’m expecting him to put up another strong performance, racking up around 25 points and keeping the offense humming with seven or so assists as he’s been the heart of their attack. Karl-Anthony Towns should continue to be a force on the glass, possibly hauling in 13 rebounds and adding a solid 20 points down low. Don’t sleep on OG Anunoby either; he could easily drop 17 points with his mix of slashing and corner threes, plus add some sneaky defense with a steal or two. It feels like the Knicks’ balance, especially with guys like Josh Hart crashing the boards and Mikal Bridges providing that secondary scoring punch, could make a real difference at TD Garden.
Looking at the Boston Celtics, it’s clear they’re missing Jayson Tatum right now—and that absence puts a huge spotlight on Jaylen Brown. I’m betting Brown goes all-out, scoring close to 26 points and trying to fill the leadership void, with Derrick White likely chipping in around 19 points and some playmaking as well. Kristaps Porzingis should have plenty of opportunities to stretch the floor and get to the line, so something like 16 points and seven boards? Not out of the question. There’s also that veteran savvy from Al Horford, who might snag nearly 10 rebounds and be tasked with anchoring the paint against Towns. You wonder if Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard can step up just enough to keep the offense unpredictable, especially in a must-win situation.
With both teams throwing everything at the wall, picking a winner hinges on which group can weather the big moments. Even with the Celtics at home and the crowd at TD Garden ready to explode, not having Tatum is just a massive hurdle to clear. The Knicks have the momentum, the depth, and a few matchups tipping their way. I’ve got New York pulling this one out and finishing the series—they just feel a bit too steady and locked in to let this opportunity slip. What do you think—time for the Knicks to close, or will Boston dig deep for another game?
