Key Points
- SJ breaks down her top player prop bets for Game 5 featuring the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics
NBA is back, and it's Game 5 between the Boston Celtics (1-3) and the New York Knicks (3-1)!
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Things look bleak in Boston after Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles in Game 4. While the Celtics held the lead for quite some time, the Knicks came roaring back in the second half.
The series heads back to Beantown, and this is a must win game for the Celtics. 4.5 point favorites, can they survive on their home court?
On the other side of the coin, the Knicks have proven they belong and overcame three straight 20+ deficits against the Celtics in this series. Backed by Jalen Brunson, New York has an opportunity to close out the series tonight on the road.
With -620 odds to win the series, the Knicks have the second best odds in the NBA to win the Finals at +490.
Buckle up bettors, this will be a showdown tonight!
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Odds Are Current As Of May 14 AT 9 A.M. ET
If you're looking to bet on Game 5 between the Knicks and Celtics, welcome! As the playoffs progress, betting has become extremely difficult. With that said, I've placed all my picks as straight bets on FanDuel.
With tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET, the Knicks and Celtics matchup will air on TNT, truTV, and Max.
In this article, you will find my three best player prop bets and bets predictions for the May 14 showdown between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics!
NBA Playoffs Bets: New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Game 5 BetMGM Betting Odds For May 14
MONEYLINE
- NEW YORK KNICKS: +150
- BOSTON CELTICS: -185
SPREAD
- NEW YORK KNICKS: +4.5 (-110)
- BOSTON CELTICS: -4.5 (-110)
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
- OVER: 207.5 (-115)
- UNDER: 207.5 (-105)
2025 NBA Playoffs H2H Matchups: New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics
- Game 1: May 5, 2025: Knicks 108, Celtics 105 OT ( NY +9, push 213)
- Game 2: May 7, 2025: Knicks 91, Celtics 90 (NY +10, under 211)
- Game 3: May 10, 2025: Celtics 115, Knicks 93 (Boston -5.5, under 209)
- Game 4: Knicks 121, Celtics 113 (NY +5, over 209)
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Injury Report
KNICKS
- None
CELTICS
- Sam Hauser, F: Probable
- Jayson Tatum, F: OUT (Achilles)
*Odds are courtesy of BetMGM*
Player Prop Best Bet #1: Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson 2025 NBA Playoffs Stats
PPG: 30.1 | FG: 43.5 % | FT: 81.5 % | 3PT: 36.7 % | REB: 4.0 | AST: 8.0 | STL: 0.5 | BLK: 0.3
- Over 2.5 Made Threes (-125 FanDuel)
My first best bet for tonight I placed one unit on Knicks star
Jalen Brunson
to record over 2.5 made threes tonight vs the Celtics.
There's no doubt Boston's defense disrupted Brunson's shooting throughout the series. None the less, he's averaged a respectable 28 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists through four games. In addition, he's shooting 41.2 percent from beyond the arc.
The NBA's Clutch Player of the Year, I've learned never to count out Brunson, especially in the final minutes of a game. Coming off 39 points, Brunson was a vital reason why the third quarter saved the Knicks.
- In fact, Jalen scored 18 points alone in that quarter to propel the Knicks back to life.
Sure, the Celtics have two-way backcourt players in Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, but that hasn't stopped Brunson.
- A true three-level scorer, Brunson has soared over 2.5 three-pointers in three of the four series games vs Boston.
Despite missing a historic 45 3-pointers, the Celtics will continue to shoot a ton of deep balls, even when facing elimination tonight. There won't be a Jayson Tatum sighting on the floor, but we saw the shootout between Tatum and Brunson last game.
Jalen Brunson Is The Heart And Soul Of The Knicks
Tatum or not, the Knicks will simply have to make their shots beyond the arc to match the Celtics.
- Above all, most teams are shooting fairly equal beyond the arc (33.5 and 33.9 percent).
I have full confidence the Celtics have the talent to make this a competitive matchup, and the Knicks wish to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
Whether Holiday or Jalen Brown guards Brunson, he's had 16 3-point attempts and seven 3-pointers made over the last two matchups. With 8.5 3-point attempts in this series, Brunson remains the Knicks leading scorer.
Recording 5, 2, 3, and 4 3-pointers in this series, how can I fade this prop?
- Brunson is shooting over 41 percent from deep against one of the most elite defenses in the NBA.
Final NBA Playoffs Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 Made Threes (-125 FanDuel)
The Knicks strategy worked last game, taking far less threes than the Celtics overall, but bullying them inside the paint. This may be true again, however, Brunson should have no problem recording three trey balls.
Considered one of the more premier shot creators in the league, Brunson hasn't dipped below 8.0 3-point attempts in this series. In fact, he soared over this line in 3/6 games against the Pistons in the first-round.
- I'm riding with Jalen Brunson to record over 2.5 made threes tonight.
Player Prop Best Bet #2: Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis 2025 NBA Playoffs Stats
PPG: 8.9 | FG: 33.3 % | FT: 70.7 % | 3PT: 13.6 % | REB: 5.0 | AST: 0.9 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.8
- Over 6.5 Rebounds (+118 FanDuel)
My second best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Celtics center
Kristaps Porzingis
to record over 6.5 rebounds against the Knicks.
It's evident Porzingis hasn't been healthy post virus since March, and it's shown on the court. In the playoffs, he's averaged just 8.9 points on 13.6 3-point percentage shooting.
- In this series, Porzingis is putting up just five points and four rebounds per game.
Joe Mazzulla has no choice but to start Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis tonight. Averaging just 17.5 minutes in four games, Porzingis logged a series high 24 minutes in Game 4. In a must win situation, I'm expecting Porzingis to play heftier minutes.
That said, wingman Sam Hauser is expected back off a busted ankle. However, the question remains how much he can contribute?
- Either way, Porzingis has no choice but to step up.
This very well be Porzingis's last game in a Celtics uniform, and I'm not expecting him to explode for 30+ points. Even with Tatum, he's recorded four rebounds in each game this series. Without Tatum, his absence leaves a huge gap on the glass for the Celtics.
Can The Celtics Come Back?
I do believe how much Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns are willing to stretch the floor will affect this prop. With that said, the Knicks rank No. 12 on the rebounds in the playoffs (44.6), but have stayed even-keeled with the Celtics on the boards.
- Tatum was the Celtics leading rebounder this series with 11.8 boards per game. Without Tatum, Porzingis has soared over this player prop line in 6/7 games without him.
Of course more at full health, Porzingis averaged 7.9 rebounds in 10 games without Tatum, and that includes the playoffs. Yet to break the four rebound barrier in this series, it won't be an easy task against KAT and Mitchell Robinson.
Final NBA Playoffs Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Kristaps Porzingis Over 6.5 Rebounds (+118 FanDuel)
Given Porzingis is averaging 4.0 rebounds with limited minutes on the court, I expect that number to increase with minutes on the floor.
He's greatly struggled, which is uncharacteristic for the "Unicorn." However, his minutes have been steadily increasing in this series.
- I'm going with Kristaps Porzingis to record over 6.5 rebounds tonight.
Player Prop Best Bet #3: Derrick White
Derrick White 2025 NBA Playoffs Stats
PPG: 18.3 | FG: 46.7 % | FT: 88 % | 3PT: 37.3 % | REB: 5.8 | AST: 3.9 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 1.0
- Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds (-112 FanDuel)
My last bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Celtics guard
Derrick White
to record over 23.5 points and rebounds vs the Knicks.
The Celtics third leading scorer with 18.3 points per game in the playoffs, White has emerged as a leading threat for Boston against the Knicks.
Every time I look around, it's White who's draining a three in transition. Coming off 23 points and and 3 rebounds, it was White who hit 6-11 from downtown.
The Celtics will need White to continue that energy if they have any hopes of staying alive. It's no secret without Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis are not at full strength.
I love this player prop for a few reasons. White has scored 20+ points in two occasions alone, and is averaging 19.8 points in the series!
- Not to mention, White is shooting a respectable 38.6 percent from downtown.
White is durable and has emerged as one of the most trusted players for Mazzulla. Through four games vs the Knicks, he hasn't logged under 40 minutes. In fact, he's coming off 44 minutes played in Game 4!
Aside from Knicks guard Josh Hart, Derrick White is one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA. He's a gritty player who makes the hustle plays and even lost a tooth last season.
Averaging seven rebounds in the series, White should see an increase in production with Tatum out for the playoffs.
- No. 3 on the Celtics with 14.3 field goal attempts in this series, White is averaging 11.0 3-point attempts alone!
Jaylen Brown has struggled greatly, and there's no player I trust more in a must win scenario at home than Derrick White. All season long, the Knicks struggled to contain point guards, giving up the second most points at that position.
Final NBA Playoffs Best Bet Pick and Prediction: Derrick White Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds (-112 FanDuel)
I personally feel this line is too set too low, given White has soared over in three of the last four WITH Tatum on the floor. Averaging 26.75 points and rebounds in the series, I expect a majority of this prop to come from points alone.
I expect White to leave it all on the table tonight, scoring every where on the court. Always chasing the rebounds, he ranks No.2 on the Celtics with 2.3 offensive rebounds alone!
- I'm taking Derrick White to record over 23.5 points and rebounds tonight. When logging 40+ minutes, he's soared over this player prop line in three consecutive games vs the Knicks.
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