Celtics vs. Knicks – Game 6 Preview
Friday, 8:00 p.m. ET • Madison Square Garden, New York City
Our Pick: Celtics +2.5

The Boston Celtics head to Madison Square Garden tonight for a pivotal Game 6 against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the Knicks leading the series 3-2, the Celtics find themselves in another must-win scenario. Despite losing their superstar forward Jayson Tatum to a season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4, Boston proved resilient in Game 5, securing an emphatic 127-102 victory to keep their championship hopes alive.

One of the Celtics’ significant advantages heading into tonight’s contest is their depth and adaptability. Derrick White stepped up admirably in Tatum’s absence, dropping a playoff-career-high 34 points, demonstrating the Celtics’ capacity to rely on different offensive weapons. White’s ability to penetrate and score effectively from outside was complemented by Payton Pritchard’s timely shooting off the bench, where he contributed 17 points, showcasing Boston’s bench strength.

Another critical factor in Game 5 was Luke Kornet’s stellar defensive performance. Kornet had a game-changing presence with six blocks, establishing himself as a formidable force against Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns. If Kornet can replicate this defensive dominance, it could significantly impact New York’s offensive rhythm, especially if Towns continues struggling to find his rhythm against aggressive interior defense.

Historically, Boston has consistently thrived under pressure. With an impressive 61–43 all-time record in elimination games, including victories in three of their last four Game 6 scenarios when trailing 3–2, Boston’s experience and mental toughness could prove crucial tonight. Conversely, the Knicks have historically found it challenging to close out playoff series. Their inconsistency in recent closeout games (44–39 all-time) suggests potential vulnerabilities, especially under the heightened pressure of delivering their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years.

Given these dynamics, Boston’s ability to cover the +2.5 spread looks strong. The Celtics’ combined resilience, depth, and the Knicks’ struggles to close out critical games set the stage for Boston to either force a Game 7 or at least ensure a tightly contested matchup. Look for Boston’s complementary players to continue stepping up, making tonight’s matchup closer than anticipated.