The Boston Celtics are gearing up for a critical Game 6 against the New York Knicks in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series. Currently trailing 3-2, the Celtics secured a pivotal 127-102 victory in Game 5, allowing them to stave off elimination. This win marks their second victory in the series, both achieved with commanding margins of at least 22 points.
With a strong regular-season record of 61-21, Boston is now aiming to advance to the conference finals for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Knicks, who finished the season with a 51-31 record, are looking to break a streak of postseason losses in the semifinals over the past two years. The status of Knicks forward Precious Achiuwa remains uncertain as he is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.
The Game 6 showdown is set for 8 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks enjoy a robust home record of 27-14 during the regular season. Historically, New York has had the upper hand in recent playoff matchups against Boston, winning seven of the last 11 encounters. Currently, the Knicks are favored by 2.5 points, with the total points over/under set at 211.5.
For the Knicks, key players such as Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are expected to play significant roles. Brunson has been an offensive leader, averaging 29.4 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds across 11 playoff games. Towns complements the team’s efforts, averaging 19.6 points and 11.3 rebounds.
On the Celtics’ side, with Jayson Tatum sidelined for the remainder of the season, Jaylen Brown has stepped up, averaging 22.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in the postseason. Derrick White has also emerged as a crucial contributor, particularly after scoring 34 points in Game 5.
As the teams prepare for this decisive matchup, the stakes are high for both squads. The outcome will not only determine who advances in the playoffs but also influence the momentum and confidence of the teams moving forward. Fans can anticipate an intense battle at Madison Square Garden as the Celtics aim to keep their championship hopes alive against a determined Knicks squad.