The Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks intensifies on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, as Game 2 tips off at TD Garden with the Celtics leading 1-0 following a dominant performance in the opener that showcased their elite two-way identity and playoff-tested cohesion. Boston controlled Game 1 with suffocating defense and balanced offensive execution, holding the Knicks to under 100 points while limiting Jalen Brunson’s shot creation through relentless pressure from Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, both of whom were instrumental in neutralizing New York’s half-court sets. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown provided their usual offensive punch, but it was Kristaps Porziņģis’s two-way impact—spreading the floor with pick-and-pop jumpers and deterring shots in the paint—that tilted the matchup firmly in Boston’s favor, exposing New York’s defensive rotations and creating difficult decisions for Tom Thibodeau’s coaching staff. New York, on the other hand, looked stagnant offensively, relying too heavily on isolation from Brunson and underutilizing Karl-Anthony Towns, who despite his shooting ability and mismatch potential, was not featured enough in sets that could draw Porziņģis out of the paint. The Knicks’ supporting cast also failed to make a major impact, with Quentin Grimes and Josh Hart struggling to generate quality looks or disrupt Boston’s rhythm, and the bench scoring coming in short supply.

If New York hopes to avoid an 0-2 hole before heading home, they’ll need to significantly improve their ball movement, shot selection, and composure in the half court, possibly initiating more offense through Towns or using screens to free up Brunson earlier in possessions. Boston, meanwhile, will look to maintain their defensive intensity and continue exploiting mismatches on the offensive end, particularly in late-clock situations where Tatum’s isolation playmaking remains among the most efficient in the league. The Celtics are aware of their subpar ATS record at home (just 17-22 during the regular season), and while they’re clearly the better team on paper, they’ll need to stay sharp mentally and not allow the Knicks to hang around late. The coaching chess match will be key: can Thibodeau unlock a way to pressure Boston’s perimeter defenders or introduce new wrinkles to free up his stars, and can Joe Mazzulla counter any tactical shifts while keeping his rotation productive and engaged? This series has the potential to become more physical and grind-heavy as it progresses, but for Game 2, expect Boston to continue applying pressure early, forcing turnovers, and attacking with precision, while the Knicks will attempt to bring a renewed energy and sharper execution to slow the game down, get into the bonus early, and extend possessions. Whether the Knicks can make those adjustments or whether Boston simply outclasses them again will shape the tone of the series heading into Madison Square Garden—and determine whether New York returns home with hope or desperation.