The Celtics and Knicks resume their second-round NBA playoffs series with Game 6 on Friday, broadcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
With Boston facing elimination, our staff of NBA betting experts has four picks for Friday’s matchup, including a side and three player props.
Check out our NBA best bets and predictions for Friday, May 16, below.
NBA Best Bets Today
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Celtics vs. Knicks
The Celtics answered the bell in Game 5 to keep their season alive with a convincing 127-102 victory over the Knicks.
There’s no question the Boston players felt buoyed playing in front of their home crowd as they rallied together following a season-ending injury to star forward Jayson Tatum.
However, as the series shifts to New York, home-court advantage and the rowdy Madison Square Garden should be the difference.
It’s now or never for the Knicks as Tatum’s injury gives them a legitimate chance to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
While Game 5 was somewhat of a rallying cry for the Celtics, I suspect the Knicks always knew they had a home game in hand because we never got that classic second-half performance we had been so accustomed to in this series.
The Knicks' double-digit loss makes me even more bullish on their chances of rebounding and closing out the series on Friday.
Historically, favorites off a loss of 10 or more points in the playoffs with a chance to close out a series in Game 6 at home are 12-6 (66.7%) against the spread.
Look for the Knicks to take care of business and give the Celtics an early start to their summer vacation.
Pick: Knicks -2.5 (-110, BetMGM)
| | | | |
Celtics vs. Knicks
The sharp market is backing the Knicks to close out the series in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks opened at -1.5 but quickly moved to -2 before the consensus settled at -2.5
Boston’s role players gave the Celtics a lift at home with elite shooting, but I think they’ll regress on the road, leading to a New York victory.
I don’t mind laying 2.5 with the Knicks because closeout games tend to see more late-game fouls, meaning we should see the final score land over one possession, outside of a Knicks game-winner or a Celtics missed buzzer-beater.
Pick: Knicks -2.5 (-110, BetMGM)
| | | | |
Celtics vs. Knicks
By Alex Hinton
Derrick White averaged a career-high 16.4 points per game in the regular season. He’s now averaging 19.9 in the playoffs.
With Tatum on the bench, White has shown he can reach another level.
White made his first five shots in Game 5, including four triples. He finished with 34 for his second 30-point game this postseason. He’s amassed 57 over his past two games.
White has been on fire from deep, shooting 16-for-30 (53%) over his past three games. There might be some regression, but ultimately, he’s started making the open looks he missed in Games 1 and 2.
Regardless, with Tatum on the shelf and Boston facing elimination, White may launch 20 shots tonight. If he does, it should be easy for him to cash this prop, given his usual efficiency.
Pick: Derrick White Over 20.5 Points (-115, bet365)
| | | | |
Celtics vs. Knicks
I bet the Over on three guys in Game 6: Jalen Brunson, White, and Pritchard.
But I like Pritchard the most, as the market has yet to fully realize how much of a problem he is for the Knicks.
There’s also a track record of Pritchard getting buckets without Tatum.
Including the playoffs, Pritchard is averaging over 18 points per game without Tatum, scoring 15 or more seven times, including a 17-point outing in Game 5.
Of greater importance, he took 17 shots in Game 5 without Tatum during the C’s blowout win, with 14 3-point attempts.
I don’t think that will be a one-off performance. If he logs 39 minutes again, which he did in Game 5 despite coming off the bench in a blowout victory, he should rack up another 15-plus in Game 6.
Pick: Payton Pritchard Over 14.5 Points (-115, BetMGM)
| | | | |
Celtics vs. Knicks
By Joe Dellera
With Tatum sidelined, the Celtics need offense, and they’ve been leaning heavily on the Sixth Man of the Year.
Pritchard is always willing to fire from deep; I expect him to keep doing that on Friday. He took 17 shots in Game 5, and 14 came from distance.
He’s an excellent shooter, and the Knicks allow plenty of 3-point attempts.
I suspect Pritchard drains a few more in Game 6.
Pick: Payton Pritchard Over 3.5 3PM (+132, FanDuel)
| | | | |
