2025 NBA PLAYOFFS East Semifinals: #2 Boston Celtics vs #3 New York Knicks (NYK leads 1-0)

[ReggiesKnicks]

I'm picking Boston in 7. I'm expecting an excellent series, Tatum inconsistent with his wrist, Brunson closing out a game or two, Celtics depth prevails.

[BigDan245]

If the Knicks don't attempt to play Robinson more with Towns, I'm picking a sweep.

[cgf]

If the Knicks don't attempt to play Robinson more with Towns, I'm picking a sweep.

I worry they may just not have enough time to gel because there are still a lot times when Mitch just has no clue whether to expect Towns to shoot so he can get in position for the rebound, or pass so he can prepare himself to catch the ball instead.

The difference is super stark when you compare to the way he looks when he's running with Brunson, McBride/Hart, and Anunoby and how he just seems to know exactly where to go to dominate the glass when they're on the court.

But I'm really hoping to finally see Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Robinson get some burn.

[Celts17Pride]

I'm expecting that RealGM will get on the "Celtics never play anyone in the playoffs" train right after the Celtics dismiss the Knicks in 4 or 5.

[PostGameDaVinci]

I'm terrified. I wanna believe we can win but Boston is just a terrible matchup for us. Swapping Hart for Mitch in the starting lineup will make this more competitive, but KAT and Mitch haven't had enough reps to find their chemistry.

Thibs has a chance to save his job this series. I think he should be fired regardless of the outcome. If he can make the right adjustments to push this to 7, maybe he's back next year.

[Tyakack]

I'm picking Boston in 7. I'm expecting an excellent series, Tatum inconsistent with his wrist, Brunson closing out a game or two, Celtics depth prevails.

Might wanna look up his numbers since the wrist injury. If anything he's been playing better since returning. Pretty obvious it's not affecting his play.

[Capn'O]

So it's weird because the Knicks seem to have specifically created a team that matches up with the Celtics, but in actual games between the teams it's looked like the opposite. They have defensive wings that are supposed to stop Tatum, but this...

Read on Twitter

Then the bigger issue is the Celtics are the most prolific 3 pt shooting team of all time, and the Knicks team defense is worst in the league at guarding the 3pt line. (Which, if you've created a roster to beat the Celtics, why would you then play a defense that allows them to do the thing they want to do?) And Thib's drop coverage hasn't worked at all, though I suppose they could change some of that up.

I dunno man. I think the Knicks are a better and more talented team than the Orlando squad we just beat, but I also feel like it's going to be a lot easier to score in this series. So I'm having trouble getting very worried about the whole thing.

FWIW I don't think we put too much effort into making sure that OG stuck to Tatum until that last game...when Tatum still hit that amazing shot to tie it & played well, but OG forced him into hitting tough shots, and OG has upped his defense another level since the playoffs started. Plus with Robinson back, our wings haven't had to cheat in towards the paint as much, which has helped our perimeter D, and the extra rest has helped us maintain our effort level.

You blew us out the first two times, so I probably wouldn't be too worried in your shoes either, but I think this series will look more like the third game before we gassed or the 4th game between us, than those first two. You'll probably have at least one night where you just blow the doors off us...unless you suddenly go ice cold for a series for no good reason like you did against Miami...but I think most games will be close in the fourth quarter.

If we can keep things close we have a good shot. Because Brunson.

I'm more concerned that they'll run out early on us and we won't have that chance.

[cgf]

So it's weird because the Knicks seem to have specifically created a team that matches up with the Celtics, but in actual games between the teams it's looked like the opposite. They have defensive wings that are supposed to stop Tatum, but this...

Read on Twitter

Then the bigger issue is the Celtics are the most prolific 3 pt shooting team of all time, and the Knicks team defense is worst in the league at guarding the 3pt line. (Which, if you've created a roster to beat the Celtics, why would you then play a defense that allows them to do the thing they want to do?) And Thib's drop coverage hasn't worked at all, though I suppose they could change some of that up.

I dunno man. I think the Knicks are a better and more talented team than the Orlando squad we just beat, but I also feel like it's going to be a lot easier to score in this series. So I'm having trouble getting very worried about the whole thing.

FWIW I don't think we put too much effort into making sure that OG stuck to Tatum until that last game...when Tatum still hit that amazing shot to tie it & played well, but OG forced him into hitting tough shots, and OG has upped his defense another level since the playoffs started. Plus with Robinson back, our wings haven't had to cheat in towards the paint as much, which has helped our perimeter D, and the extra rest has helped us maintain our effort level.

You blew us out the first two times, so I probably wouldn't be too worried in your shoes either, but I think this series will look more like the third game before we gassed or the 4th game between us, than those first two. You'll probably have at least one night where you just blow the doors off us...unless you suddenly go ice cold for a series for no good reason like you did against Miami...but I think most games will be close in the fourth quarter.

If we can keep things close we have a good shot. Because Brunson.

I'm more concerned that they'll run out early on us and we won't have that chance.

I'm optimistic that with everyone healthy and proper rest, we'll be able to bring our A-game. Gunna need Karl to play like he did in that last game against them, wingstop to raise their games another level, and it wouldn't hurt if Deuce could get going. But I definitely think we can do it, even if we don't get any help from injuries or weird shooting luck...though Boston is most likely to handle us.

[Bergmaniac]

I just don't see a way for the Knicks to defend the Celtics well enough for this to be close. There is nowhere to hide subpar defenders against the Celtics and the Knicks need to play Brunson and KAT huge minutes to be able to score.

[cgf]

I just don't see a way for the Knicks to defend the Celtics well enough for this to be close. There is nowhere to hide subpar defenders against the Celtics and the Knicks need to play Brunson and KAT huge minutes to be able to score.

Optimistic Knicks fan here, but Towns actually defended well in that Pistons series, especially in crunchtime, and is generally good when he's not asked to protect the rim, like he isn't in our double big lineups next to Robinson. Though Brunson's limited by his size, he's smart & feisty; so Jalen should be fine guarding Holiday or Pritchard as long as we can keep OG & Bridges on Tatum & Brown.

[BigDan245]

If the Knicks don't attempt to play Robinson more with Towns, I'm picking a sweep.

I worry they may just not have enough time to gel because there are still a lot times when Mitch just has no clue whether to expect Towns to shoot so he can get in position for the rebound, or pass so he can prepare himself to catch the ball instead.

The difference is super stark when you compare to the way he looks when he's running with Brunson, McBride/Hart, and Anunoby and how he just seems to know exactly where to go to dominate the glass when they're on the court.

But I'm really hoping to finally see Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Robinson get some burn.

I fear Thibs is too stubborn. As an underdog and as a team at a disadvantage, you should be more apt to attempt different lineups, defensive assignments, etc. If Thibs really think the best way to beat Boston is to ride the starters and play small, he really has lost the plot.

This really should be it for Thibs if you asked me. If getting boat raced in the 2nd round with a team that is "all-in" is the best you can muster, it's time to go.

[cgf]

If the Knicks don't attempt to play Robinson more with Towns, I'm picking a sweep.

I worry they may just not have enough time to gel because there are still a lot times when Mitch just has no clue whether to expect Towns to shoot so he can get in position for the rebound, or pass so he can prepare himself to catch the ball instead.

The difference is super stark when you compare to the way he looks when he's running with Brunson, McBride/Hart, and Anunoby and how he just seems to know exactly where to go to dominate the glass when they're on the court.

But I'm really hoping to finally see Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Robinson get some burn.

I fear Thibs is too stubborn. As an underdog and as a team at a disadvantage, you should be more apt to attempt different lineups, defensive assignments, etc. If Thibs really think the best way to beat Boston is to ride the starters and play small, he really has lost the plot.

This really should be it for Thibs if you asked me. If getting boat raced in the 2nd round with a team that is "all-in" is the best you can muster, it's time to go.

Thibs has been pretty flexible for most of his Knicks tenure...I mean we're talking about Thibs choosing to play without a rim protector, when a year ago people would've said that would never happen because Thibs is too stubborn...which is why he does use the double big lineup a lot when we go to the bench and stagger Brunson/Towns.

He just hasn't used the double bigs yet with Brunson, OG, & Bridges...but he also hasn't had to because of how well Hart has functioned as a secondary playmaking hub who draws opposing centers' attention away from the rim; so we'll see if Thibs won't use it if we need it, or if he just hasn't wanted to give Boston too much tape of it.

If we can get an upgrade, I don't mind moving on from Thibs, but he's a top 10 coach who the locker-room likes. If we can't get a real upgrade, I wouldn't make change just to make a change. Just work on our depth and see what this team looks like with a training camp together. If we're still outclassed next year, then you make big changes next offseason.

[FlatearthZorro]

Knickerbockers, 4th of July fire crackers, Celtics have the most international backers, Cs in 5

[tsherkin]

I'm going with Boston in 5.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I can't believe I have to root for the Celtics now. This is disgusting. Anyway Celtics in 5.

[Triple M]

I was surprised how chaotic the Knicks looked at times vs Detroit. I dont think you can afford to play that style vs the Celtics. Boston already has the math advantage and throwing away possesions will cime back to haunt you.

[cgf]

I was surprised how chaotic the Knicks looked at times vs Detroit. I dont think you can afford to play that style vs the Celtics. Boston already has the math advantage and throwing away possesions will cime back to haunt you.

That series was a rockfight, like the first 4 games of your series against Orlando. This will be a very different series, for better or for worse...from our perspective. If we could muck you up the way the Magic did and leave it up to Brunson v Tatum in crunch time, I'd feel a lot more confident lol.

[LFGK]

Celtic homers gonna be in for a rude awakening when the games look more like the last game they played and not the first 2. If the games are close Knicks will always have a shot because of cap, they will also make it an emphasis to get into towns early like they did after that bad game, He is the Key.

[Triple M]

I was surprised how chaotic the Knicks looked at times vs Detroit. I dont think you can afford to play that style vs the Celtics. Boston already has the math advantage and throwing away possesions will cime back to haunt you.

That series was a rockfight, like the first 4 games of your series against Orlando. This will be a very different series, for better or for worse...from our perspective. If we could muck you up the way the Magic did and leave it up to Brunson v Tatum in crunch time, I'd feel a lot more confident lol.

I see last years Knicks as a team better suited to muck up the game. But lets say i concede that Brunson is a playoff Jimmy preformer i still dont think the rest of the Knicks are playoff hardened performers. Losing to the Knicks would be a huge set back for the Celtics

[iggymcfrack]

Knicks are the weakest team left in the playoffs. Hard to see them putting up much of a challenge for the defending champs. I’d say Celtics in 5, but I also wouldn’t be surprised with a sweep if Boston can ratchet up their intensity from the last round now that things are getting more serious.