Best Knicks vs. Celtics Player Props, ATS Bets: Can Boston Stay Alive?

After winning three of the first four games of this series, the Knicks (3) have three chances to secure a series-clinching fourth win over the Celtics (2), starting tonight in Boston.

The Celtics, as you may have heard, suffered multiple devastating losses on Monday night, dropping not only a crucial Game 4, but losing Jayson Tatum for the season with a torn Achilles.

After losing Monday’s game despite a 42-point night by Tatum, the Celtics are massive underdogs to come back from down 3-1, but they’re favored in Game 5 at home.

Will their championship pedigree and desperation be enough for Jaylen Brown and Co. to force Game 6? Or will the Knicks follow in the footsteps of the Timberwolves a year ago and eliminate the reigning champs in the second round?

Knicks vs. Celtics Game 5 Betting Odds

How to Watch Knicks vs. Celtics Game 5

• Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Channel: TNT/truTV/Max

Knicks vs. Celtics Series Winner Odds (as of May 14)

• DraftKings: NYK -525; BOS +400
• FanDuel: NYK -620; BOS +460

Knicks vs. Celtics Game 5 Player Props

Payton Pritchard Over 14.5 Points (-112 at FanDuel) — 1 unit

With Tatum, one of the most high-volume scorers in the league, suddenly out long-term, a ton of shots will now be available for the the Celtics’ supporting cast.

Through five games in this series, Jaylen Brown has been his team’s clear second option. We shouldn’t expect him to go off in Game 5, though. He’s struggled against Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby in this series. Game 4 marked the first time in four games against New York when he shot better than 40 percent from the field.

And unfortunately for him, buckets will likely be even harder to come by tonight as the focal point of the Knicks’ D.

The two players I expect to enjoy the biggest spikes in their offensive production are Payton Pritchard and Derrick White. If I have to pick between the two, I’m leaning toward the former given his role and volume in 10 regular-season games without Tatum.

Pritchard averaged 19 points per game in those contests. He was inconsistent, with four games with 10 points or fewer, but he still had more good offensive games (six with at least 15 points, including three with 27 or more) than bad ones with Tatum out of the lineup.

The number of 3-point attempts Pritchard took in every game wihout Tatum is also encouraging. He averaged just over 10 3PA per game in those contests. In the final three of the regular season (April 6, April 9, April 13), he knocked down 9-of-30 3-point attempts — a far from scorching 30 percent, but on excellent volume.

With that in mind, also consider a quarter- or half-unit on P. Pritchard 4+ Made Threes at +168 at FanDuel.

Knicks vs. Celtics Game 5 Pick, Best Bets

Like in Game 5 of Pacers vs. Cavaliers last night, I think oddsmakers are overestimating the series underdog in Game 5 of Knicks vs. Celtics.

The following is hardly groundbreaking, but it’s still worth pointing out: the team that is up 3-1 after outscoring Boston 111-80 in the fourth quarters of Games 1-4 is getting 4.5 points tonight.

Yes, a Knicks team that has been unstoppable in the fourth quarter is a substantial underdog against a Celtics team that is not only A) missing its top scorer but also B) struggling through a poor series by two of its top complementary scorers in Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.

After both underdogs covered in Tuesday night’s Game 5s (Indy beat Cleveland outright as 8-point dogs and the Nuggets lost by 7 as 10.5-point dogs), give me the Knicks +4.5.

If you’re banking on a strong start by the Celtics, I won’t deny that they’re a tempting bet to cover the first-half spread of 3.5 points.

Knicks vs. Celtics Game 5 Best Bets:

• Knicks +4.5 (-105 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
• Celtics 1H -3.5 (-112 at DK) — 1 unit

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