The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics are set to begin their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Monday, May 5. Both franchises have benefitted from several days of rest and preparation, setting the stage for what’s expected to be a physically intense and closely contested battle.
Celtics Enter as Favorites – and With Greater Pressure
During a May 3 press conference, Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis—who notably began his NBA career in New York—addressed the expectations surrounding Boston as they enter the series. Porzingis acknowledged that, as reigning NBA champions, the Celtics will be carrying the heavier burden of pressure and expectation.
“This comes down to experience,” he told reporters. “We’ve got a group full of versatile players—guys who can step up at any moment. That’s a huge advantage for us. Not many teams have the depth and talent we have. I think we’re going to be the favorites, even in the betting odds. So really, we’ve got more to lose here. We’re expected to win.”
Porzingis’ remarks not only underline the championship pedigree of this Boston squad but also subtly place the underdog label on the Knicks—a team that was swept in all four regular-season games against the Celtics during the 2024–25 season.
Knicks Already Deep in Preparation
New York’s head coach, Tom Thibodeau, is already hard at work plotting a strategy to disrupt the Celtics’ rhythm. In a press session on May 1, Thibodeau spoke about his early efforts to prepare the team.
“I haven’t fully dug into the specifics just yet,” Thibodeau admitted. “But we’ve got our assistants and advanced scouts on it. They’ve been working for a while now. We’re going to use these next few days for recovery and strategic planning. Boston’s the defending champ—we know we’ll have to be at our absolute best.”
A Roster Built for the Challenge
Despite being labeled the underdogs, the Knicks are equipped with a roster designed to challenge a team like Boston. Defensive specialists OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges can match up with Boston’s wing threats, while Jalen Brunson brings elite shot creation—a trait that has historically posed problems for the Celtics’ defense. The addition of Karl-Anthony Towns also gives New York a big man who can stretch the floor and potentially neutralize Porzingis’ impact.
Concerns Over Brunson’s Isolation Style
Still, not everyone is convinced the Knicks’ current approach will be effective. A Western Conference scout, speaking to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, warned that Brunson’s ball-dominant, isolation-heavy style might be unsustainable against a defense as disciplined as Boston’s.
“Jalen’s tendency to hunt fouls and dominate the ball has started to wear on the team,” the scout explained. “It might work in the regular season, but in the playoffs—when defensive schemes are more focused—it becomes a challenge. Players like KAT and OG have to get more involved, and that’s tough when Jalen has the ball so often.”
Boston will be eager to exploit any such limitations. If Brunson’s offensive style allows the Celtics to stay home on perimeter shooters and reduce ball movement, New York’s tempo could stall—forcing them into low-efficiency possessions.
All Eyes on the Conference Finals
Despite these tactical concerns, both teams have high aspirations. Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals is within reach, and neither side will want to fall short. With star power, strategic depth, and emotional intensity on both benches, this series promises to be a tightly contested and hard-fought showdown—one that could come down to execution in the final minutes of each game.
Would you like a preview graphic or game-by-game breakdown for this matchup?
Leave a Reply