Brunson, Towns lead Knicks home to defend series advantage.
The New York Knicks return to Madison Square Garden today, leading the Eastern Conference Semifinals 2–0 against the Boston Celtics.
In Games One and Two, our heroes overcame 20-point deficits to jab daggers in the hearts of the TD Garden crowd. Jalen Brunson has been key, as always, averaging 23 points per game, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points and 17 rebounds in Game 2. To overlook Josh Hart’s 23-point performance and OG Anunoby’s brilliance would be a crime, and Mikal Bridges’ fourth-quarter defense has been game-saving.
The Knicks’ defense has been pivotal, limiting the defending champion Celtics to 35.6% shooting from the field and 25% from beyond the arc over the first two games. Hat’s off to OG Anunoby’s defensive efforts for giving Boston’s star Jayson Tatum heaping spoonfuls of humiliating misery.
The health of Kristaps Porziņģis will be a point of interest today. Porziņģis has dealt with an illness that’s rendered him ineffective and unplayable, and that gives New York the advantage in the paint, especially as the game goes on and Al Horford’s legs start to tire out.
Despite their successes, the Knicks could easily be on the underside of that 2-0 record. The Celtics secured 35 offensive rebounds over two games and one more three-pointer in each game would have made the difference. There’s good reason why some think Boston, who swept New York in the regular season, will win four game before this series is done.
Prediction
ESPN.com favors the Knicks at 51%. My, how expectations have changed! With the series shifting to New York, the Knicks must capitalize on their home-court advantage. A victory today would securely put them in the driver’s seat with a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. Expect another hard-fought game that comes down to the wire and a one-point Knicks win that sends half of the city into madness.
Game Details
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, NYC, NY
TV Broadcast: ABC
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