Celtics vs. Knicks – Game 3 Preview & Best Bets (May 10, 2025)
The Knicks went to Boston and made the defending NBA champs look like overrated hacks. NY took away big leads, got control late, and left the Celtics staring at the floor wondering, “What in the h-e-double-hockey-sticks just happened?”
Brunson ran the show, Thibs out-coached Mazzulla, and now the series heads to the Garden—where New York’s got a chance to turn a 2–0 lead into a total collapse for Boston.
Game Snapshot
- Series Status: NYK leads 2 – 0
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 10, at 3:30 pm ET
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City
- Broadcast: ABC
Series Overview
The Knicks have won both games on the road, and now they get a shot to pile on at home court.
Boston dropped Game 1 in OT and let Game 2 slip away in the final seconds. The defending champs haven’t looked like themselves, and New York is taking full advantage of it.
- Current Standing: Knicks lead the series 2–0
- Game 1: Knicks 108, Celtics 105 (OT)
- Game 2: Knicks 91, Celtics 90
Historical Note: No team has ever dropped the first two at home and come back to win a series without winning at least one on the road.
Team Insights
Below, we look at how the two teams have been performing and what’s on the line in Game 3!
Boston Celtics
The Celtics’ offense looks like it’s five guys who are taking turns guessing. They’ve shot under 25% from three in both games—jacking up threes that aren’t falling, forcing tough shots in traffic, and showing no creativity when things break down. Tatum and Brown are working, but it’s all effort and no structure. At this point, it’s not so much about shooting slumps and more about not knowing what they’re trying to run.
Key Players
- Jayson Tatum: Still putting up points, but Boston needs him to take over, especially late in the game.
- Jaylen Brown: The energy is there, but the execution hasn’t matched it.
- Kristaps Porziņģis: He looked off in Game 1 coming off an illness, and Boston sorely needs Porziņģis to stretch the floor and protect the rim.
Coach’s Perspective
Joe Mazzulla hasn’t broken the glass and hit the panic button, but the clock’s ticking. You can expect to see tighter rotations and some tactical changes.
New York Knicks
The Knicks came into Boston, took their lunch money, and didn’t look back. They’ve punked the champs twice by out-hustling them, out-executing them, and making them look like they were flat.
They go back to the Garden with two wins, no regrets, and a rowdy fanbase that wants to make the Celtics downright miserable.
Key Players
- Jalen Brunson: He’s been surgical down the stretch—finding mismatches, hitting contested jumpers, and keeping the offense calm.
- OG Anunoby: Doing the dirty work on both ends—rebounding, defending, hitting timely shots.
- Josh Hart: Glue guy energy, plain and simple. He’s everywhere—loose balls, corner threes, late-game rebounds.
Team Ethos
Thibs has this team playing like they don’t give a dang who’s on the other side, and so far? They haven’t. The Knicks bullied Boston in their own building, stayed composed as the Celtics fell apart, and turned every loose ball into a second chance. NY smells blood and knows how to make things worse for Boston.
Betting Odds & Trends
Time for the betting odds! Below is how DraftKings is pricing Game 3, and which direction the trends are pointing toward:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Celtics | -5 (-110) | -205 | Over 204.5 (-110) |
Knicks | +5 (-110) | +170 | Under 204.5 (-110) |
Betting Lines (as of May 8)
- Spread: Celtics -5.5
- Over/Under: 205.5
- Moneyline: Celtics -215, Knicks +180
Trends
- Boston has won 4 of their last 6 against New York, but that also includes the regular season.
- The Knicks have covered in 5 of their last 6 and haven’t buckled under the pressure that comes with the playoffs.
Best Bets
This def isn’t the series that most people were expecting, but it’s been good to the bettors who took the Knicks early. Let’s break down where the value sits for Game 3!
- Knicks +5.5: They’ve covered twice in Boston and now have the crowd behind them. Even if Boston comes out aggressively, the Knicks have proved that they’re never out of a game.
- Over 205.5 Points: The totals have hovered right around this number, but a return to form from Boston’s shooters could push this one higher. If both teams hit even 35% from deep, it should clear.
- Jalen Brunson Over 25.5 Points: Brunson has been absolutely cooking late in games and has regularly gone over this mark. If the Celtics keep switching up everything, Brunson’s undoubtedly gonna find his spots again.
Ready to Place Your Bet?
If you’re betting on Game 3, you can check out our curated list of the best online sportsbooks so that you know you’re using a trusted platform! They all have great odds, quick payouts, and generous bonuses for NBA playoff action. Always bet smart and gamble responsibly!
Crunch Time in the Garden: Our Final Word
Boston’s season won’t end in Game 3, but how they show up and play will tell us a lot. The Knicks are in control and are doing the hard work—closing out, dominating the glass, and letting Brunson take over when it matters most.
The Celtics appear to be stuck in neutral, burning timeouts, and walking back to the bench, looking like they’re stunned by what’s happening.
Game 3 is where this series gets closer or becomes pretty much out of reach for Boston—they’ll be down three games, and history has shown that no team has ever come back to win a series without stealing at least one road game.
Here are our top picks for the best:
- Knicks +5.5
- Over 205.5
- Brunson Over 25.5 Points
Bet responsibly and check the latest odds as they are subject to change!
