The Matchup: The New York Knicks travel to Boston to face the Celtics in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.

The Stakes: The Celtics, seeded second in the East, are looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead on their home court. The Knicks, seeded third, desperately need to steal a win in Boston to even the series before heading back to New York.

The Line: Celtics are favored by 10.5 points, with a total of 211.

What to Watch For:

• Celtics’ Offense: Boston boasts a potent offense. Their ability to spread the floor and shoot the three makes them a tough cover for any team. The Knicks need to find a way to contain their perimeter threats.
• Knicks’ Physicality: New York’s strength lies in their physicality and rebounding. They need to control the boards and make life difficult for the Celtics inside the paint.
• Haliburton’s Impact: Tyrese Haliburton has been a key player in the playoffs. If the Knicks can contain him, they will have a better chance of winning.
• Stephen Curry Injury: Stephen Curry was injured in the previous game. If he is not healthy, that will impact the game.

Prediction: The Celtics are a tough team to beat at home, especially with the urgency of building a series lead. However, the Knicks are a resilient team that won’t go down without a fight.

Pick: While the Celtics should win, covering a 10.5-point spread against a tough Knicks team is a big ask. I’m leaning towards the Knicks covering the spread (+10.5). The total of 211 seems about right, so I would not bet on either the over or under.

Sources:
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