Knicks vs. Celtics 2nd round preview: schedule, 3 things to see

February 23, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The New York Knicks Center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) checks the ball, while the striker of Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum (0), defended in the first half in the TD Garden. Mandatory loan: Bob Dechiara-Miagn pictures

The reward of the New York Knicks in the first round of the NBA playoffs in 2025 to get past the Detroit Pistons is a tendency with the defending champion Boston Celtics – a team that made nightmares available for Tom Thibodeau and Co. this season.

Reaching this point is the minimale at least for a kink team of this caliber, although as a heavy outsider you stand up against your rivals of the Atlantic Division. It also does not help the forecast that each of the two earlier seasons in New York ended in this semi -finals of the Eastern Conference.

A big surprise would not only help to confirm Thibodeau's job security as head coach, but also to offer the Knicks their first appearance in the Eastern Conference for 25 years. Of course, this is as astronomical and “if” as there is when you consider how good this Celtics team is. Only the Cavaliers from Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland won more games than Boston, which is as cirted as everyone else in the playoffs. The Celtics took part in the NBA final in two of the last three years and made the conference finale in the other season that they didn't do.

Knicks against Celtics 2nd round schedule

Game 1 @ Celtics: Monday, May 5th, 7pm et (TNT)
Game 2 @ Celtics: Wednesday, May 7th, 7pm (TNT)
Game 3 @ Knicks: Saturday, May 10th, TBD (ABC)
Game 4 @ Knicks: Monday, May 12th, TBD (ESPN)
Game 5* @ Celtics: Wednesday, May 14th, TBD (ABC)
Play 6* @ Knicks: Friday, May 16, TBD (ESPN)
Game 7* @ Celtics: Monday, May 19, 8 p.m. (TNT)

* If necessary

3 things to see

Can the kinks hang with the elite?

Knicks Celtics Jaylen Brown — Boston, Massachusetts – February 23: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics in the second half in the TD Garden on February 23, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts, a shot about Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 118-105. Note to the user: The user expressly confirms that the user agrees by downloading and or using this photo the conditions of the Getty Images license agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

One of the oldest tropics in sports is that the playoffs are a completely new season and for which Knicks must be.

The Celtics swept the series of season 4: 0, which was only a microcosm of the fights of the Knicks against the top teams of the NBA. Of the four teams that ended with better records than New York, Boston, Cleveland, Oklahoma City and Houston, 1-12 went against them.

The Knicks were a minus 65 point differential against the Celtics this season and were demolished from a 3-point range during the four meetings. Boston was a plus-39 in 3-pointer, which was made via the Knicks, including the binding of an NBA individual game record on the opening evening with 29 three.

While most of the offensive responsibility will fall on Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the rest of the fifth of the Knicks must find their feeling of profound to keep up with the Celtics. Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby went out of the 3-point range against Boston against Boston against Boston against Boston.

Jayson Tatum against Karl-Anthony Towns

Why doesn't that say Tatum against Brunson, maybe you ask? The Celtics will do everything in their power to create this matchup at both ends of the soil.

In view of the versatility of the cities as one of the top deep shot men in basketball, the Celtics have often used Tatum and Point Guard Jrue Holiday in the All-Star. Tatum is a mobile defender who can keep up with cities, while Kristaps Porzingis can keep an eye on Porzingis in Boston Josh, who is the lower threat of depths.

The 7-foot cities can neutralize this by walking towards the basket and using the size of the size. However, this is easier said than done. In the first round against the Pistons, cities scored 15 of 23 (65.2%) in six games in the limited area. Outside of the RA, while he was still in color, he only shot 9 out of 24 (37.5%), while he was guarded by 6-foot 8 Tobias Harris and 6-foot 10-jalen Duren.

In defense, cities will probably see a lot. In view of the Bridges and Anunoby's defensive skills, both he and Jaylen Brown are converted into cities and Brunson as far as possible, which is a grade for the course in view of the regular season. According to NBA.com, the Celtics carried out 134 pick-and rolls against cities this year, which is the most against every defender this season.

Can Jalen Brunson continue?

Jalen Brunson Knicks Celtics — The New York Knicks -Wachmann Jalen Brunson, Center, shoots in the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Boston next to the Boston Celtics striker Jayson Tatum. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Against one of the best young perimeter defenders in Detroits Ausar Thompson, Brunson had a remarkable first round with an average of 31.5 points and 8.2 templates in the six games.

He will probably also be against the Celtics if the Knicks want a chance in this matter.

Of course, this is not an easy task when you consider that the vacation is one of the best defenders in the game. Although he missed the last three games of her first round against Orlando Magic, Derrick White can take the gap. The 0.130 defense victory of the guard is the 22nd place for all players in the NBA this season.

Expect a relentless two-man effort against Brunson in the entire series, which achieved an average of 26.7 points and five templates per game against the Celtics this season. It is an even more difficult task when he considered his unsafe ankle, which missed him in 15 games during the regular season and then flared up against Detroit during the 5th game.