adam-williams/&source=gmail&ust=1746870155616000&usg=AOvVaw2QYPTpD5NElNO_bMNiEPDM" href="https://legalbet.uk/expert/adam-williams/" target="_blank">Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NBA match.
The reigning champions are in deep trouble. The Boston Celtics trail 0-2 in the series after back-to-back defeats at TD Garden, and no team in NBA history has ever come back from 0-3 to win a series. That makes Game 3 at Madison Square Garden absolutely critical. The Knicks have been the surprise package so far — not necessarily by dominating, but by holding firm and capitalising on key moments. All the pressure now lies squarely on the shoulders of the Celtics.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have earned massive respect: they erased 20-point deficits in both games on the road and turned up when it mattered most. Their chemistry is superb, and Jalen Brunson (5.9 clutch points per game) and Mikal Bridges have been clinical down the stretch. Still, for large parts of each game, the Knicks were chasing. The Boston Celtics had more possession, dictated the pace, and outrebounded them in both encounters (49:59 in Game 1 and 46:51 in Game 2). The Knicks remain underdogs in terms of overall talent and depth — and if the Celtics improve their shooting, they could find it difficult to keep up.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics’ back-to-back losses were less about being outplayed and more about appalling shot-making. Their top three scorers combined for just 19-of-59 from the field across the two games (32%), despite 75% of those attempts being uncontested — one of the worst efficiency marks in a decade of playoff basketball. But there’s still reason for optimism. The Celtics hold a +23 rebounding edge across the series, boast the best road record in the league (33–8), and rank No.1 in defensive rating away from home (105.7). It’s hard to imagine Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White misfiring a third time in a row.
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Prediction
After two agonising losses, expect the Boston Celtics to come out with the urgency and championship mettle required to claw their way back into the series. They’ve been the better team in large stretches, undone primarily by poor finishing and passive game management. In Game 3, expect a strong performance from either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, and a more aggressive game overall with no late-game collapses.
