Following two double-digit comebacks against the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics, fans around the league are beginning to wonder if New York is ready to overcome its east coast rival.
Despite a 1-0 series lead after coming back from 20 points down in the third quarter, no one around the NBA believed the New York Knicks stood a chance of knocking off the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics, which still carried odds of -300 or greater on certain sportsbooks to defeat the Knicks and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals ahead of game two on May 7. There were certainly reasons to be wary, given the Celtics shot poorly from three-point range from game one and still built a lead as high as 20 points, while stars such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown failed to put their best effort forward. Instead, those doubts have now been magnified to an even higher degree, following New York’s game two victory in which it came back from yet another double-digit deficit.
With the series heading to Madison Square Garden and the Celtics seemingly unable to find answers for these fourth quarter meltdowns, there is no telling how the remainder of this series could play out. Even before game one, Boston was favored with odds of -750 or greater, as no operator believed the Knicks held the capability of knocking off such a dominant franchise for nearly two years running. When operators witnessed New York struggle through a six-game first round series with the Detroit Pistons as well, there was no indication this roster would be able to match up with the likes of Tatum, Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.
Porzingis has been a mysterious case in his own right, failing to play more than 20 minutes in either second round contest with what the team is describing as an illness, but has not given word of the severity or direct cause. The lack of minutes from Boston’s 7’2” center has opened up the paint for New York, as soon-to-be 39-year-old backup Al Horford doesn’t have the legs to compete with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks. Still, it’s not as if Boston is struggling for the vast majority of these games, as the Celtics hold a 81:04-12:15 advantage of time while leading through the two matchups, but find itself down 2-0 in the series because of fourth quarter collapses.
If the Knicks can win just one of the upcoming matchups it will play at Madison Square Garden, the 3-1 series lead it would hold may be too overwhelming for Boston to overcome in a seven-game set. Shockingly, however, operators such as bet365 still refuse to acknowledge New York’s chances of surpassing Boston on its way to the Eastern Conference Finals, listing the Knicks at -105 while the Celtics are favored with odds of -115. While we use the word “shockingly” to describe such odds, it actually comes at a minimal surprise figuring sportsbooks typically try to limit opportunities where heavily favored Playoff teams are given plus odds to win its respective series, even in situations such as Boston’s where the franchise will now need to win four out of five games.
The real worry is what is going on with Tatum and Brown, as the levels both are playing at are currently unable to defeat New York, and certainly not capable of advancing to a second straight NBA Finals. The former Kentucky forward missed a game in Boston’s opening series with the Orlando Magic, while Brown has reportedly been nursing an ankle injury for quite some time. Minor injuries are no excuse for losing postseason matchups, though, as nearly every player on the floor at this stage in the year are banged up in one way or another, including the Knicks starters who averaged over 38 minutes per game in the regular season. How Boston overcomes the mental gymnastics of blowing two consecutive double-digit leads escapes this writer, but the franchise will have to rebound quickly if it hopes to defend its title throughout the remainder of 2024-2025.
Boston is not the only championship contender struggling in the second round, as the one-seed Cleveland Cavaliers have also gone down 2-0 in its series with the Indiana Pacers. While Cleveland has little excuses for dropping the first game of the series, notable role players such as Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and DeAndre Hunter all missed game two, which was still decided by a last-second three-pointer from Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton. Sportsbooks such as bet365 have been less favorable to Cleveland’s chances of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals as compared to Boston, however, as the operator currently lists the Cavaliers with odds of +160 to win the series, while Indiana will head home as the favorite at -190.
Almost no one across the NBA would have guessed Indiana and New York could stand a chance of competing in the Eastern Conference Finals this postseason, and no one, even in Indianapolis and New York City, would have said both franchises could make the penultimate stage. As things stand today, though, the Knicks and Pacers each have a strong hold on its respective second round series with Boston and Cleveland, with home court advantage now swayed toward the two underdogs coming into the 2024-2025 NBA Playoffs.
