New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

As many predicted in their brackets, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with the pair's first postseason clash taking place at TD Garden on Monday. 

Unsurprisingly, given they are the champions and had 10 more regular-season wins than their opponents, the Celtics come into the series as strong favorites to progress and they will be expecting to open with a win. 

Boston won their first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic, with head coach Joe Mazzulla forced to change Boston's playstyle to overcome the gritty Magic, relying on defense more than offense to progress. 

The Knicks, who also had to adapt to beat a gutsy opponent, the Detroit Pistons, could try to get at the Celtics in the same way as Orlando but coach Tom Thibodeau is not known for his radical changes and New York may be in for a tough opener in Boston as they try to figure out the formula to beat the champs. 

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 betting picks and predictions

Boston Celtics -9 (-115)

While the playoffs can be radically different to the regular season, the nature of the Celtics' 4-0 sweep of the Knicks during the regular-season bodes extremely badly for New York ahead of this series. 

Of course, Thibodeau and New York will have known that the Celtics were their likely second-round opponents a long time ago and Knicks fans will be hoping that preparation has been done to stop the champions. 

However, Thibodeau is a notoriously stubborn coach and, while he is good at racking up wins in the regular season, his unwillingness to make changes on the fly in the playoffs can often result in defeats, and a heavy one may be coming his and the Knicks' way on Monday. 

The average score in the four meetings between this pair in the regular season was 125-109 to Boston and they will be licking their lips once again, with this representing a really bad matchup for New York. 

Mazzulla had to switch his approach against the Magic as they struggled to find their groove from range - that was a major issue as they made the most three-pointers in the regular season (1,457) of any NBA side ever - but they should be more like their usual, irresistible selves on Monday. 

They will pick on Karl-Anthony Towns, just as they did in the pair's four other meetings this season, will shoot far more threes and can cover a -9 line for the 14th time in 21 games. 

Jalen Brunson over 27.5 points (-115)

Any hope the Knicks have of progressing rely on Jalen Brunson continuing his magnificent playoff form and although New York are heading for a heavy opening defeat, their star man should shine once again. 

Brunson has posted at least 29 points in 13 of his last 17 playoff appearances, doing so in five of the six matches against the Pistons in round one. His ability to catch fire makes him one of the most dangerous playoff performers in the NBA and he could steal the show at TD Garden. 

Jrue Holiday's return should help the Celtics stifle Brunson slightly, with the Knicks guard stating Holiday is one of the toughest defenders he has ever faced. 

However, Brunson is one of the worst players to face when returning from three games out. His speed and constant movement could put Holiday's body under a lot of stress and the New York guard should clear a 27.5-point line on Monday. 

Jayson Tatum over 3.5 threes (+120)

The Celtics' deep roster means they will not be so reliant on one player's performance on Monday, but they will still expect their star man, Jayson Tatum, to step up in game one of this series. 

He did exactly that in his final three appearances in the first round, putting up over 35 points in each of those games. Impressively, he made four three-pointers in two of those games, despite Orlando's excellent perimeter defense, and he should have no issue replicating that feat against a more open Knicks rearguard. 

Tatum managed eight, seven, three and four three-pointers in his four regular-season appearances against the Knicks and, with his increased minutes in the playoffs, he should clear a 3.5 line again. 

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NBA on site

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 odds

NY Knicks	+320 ML
BOS Celtics	-400 ML
Spread	Celtics -9
Total Points	O/U 212.5

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Game 1 player props

Player Points

Jayson Tatum	O/U 27.5
Jalen Brunson	O/U 27.5
Jaylen Brown	O/U 21.5
Karl-Anthony Towns	O/U 20.5
Kristaps Porzingis	O/U 17.5
OG Anunoby	O/U 15.5

Read the latest Knicks vs. Celtics series picks and predictions on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.