The Boston Celtics begin their 2024-25 campaign on Tuesday night, hosting the New York Knicks at TD Garden. After capturing the 2023-24 NBA title, Boston aims to defend its championship while the Knicks look to make a statement with their retooled roster.
Celtics Kick Off Championship Defense
Boston enters the season with high expectations, looking to become back-to-back champions for the first time since the late 1960s. The Celtics ended last season with a dominant 64-18 record and continued their strong play through the playoffs with a 16-3 mark. Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized that repeating success requires a fresh approach.
The Celtics retained all 11 top scorers from their title-winning squad, including five-time All-Star Jayson Tatum. Tatum posted averages of 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season, and he’ll again lead Boston’s potent offense.
However, the Celtics will miss newly acquired center Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from offseason surgery. Porzingis, who averaged 20.1 points in 57 games last season, is expected to miss the first two months of the season.
Knicks Look to Make a Statement
The Knicks are eager to build off a 50-win season and aim to become serious contenders in the East. New York made key offseason moves, including trading for All-Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns and guard Mikal Bridges. Bridges will join Jalen Brunson in the backcourt, forming a dynamic duo to challenge Boston’s defense.
New York will be without two key frontcourt players. Center Mitchell Robinson is sidelined with ankle injuries, and Precious Achiuwa is out with a hamstring strain, leaving New York short on depth in the paint.
Towns stressed the importance of competing with every team in the conference, not just Boston. “We can’t just be worried about one team. To achieve what the city expects, we need to beat everyone,” Towns said.
Prediction and Key Matchup
The matchup between Jayson Tatum and Karl-Anthony Towns will headline the action. Both stars are capable of taking over games, but the absence of Porzingis may give Towns more freedom inside. The Celtics will rely on their depth and continuity, while the Knicks look to make an early statement with their revamped roster.
Both teams are capable of scoring in bunches, setting the stage for a high-scoring affair. Look for the backcourt battle between Brunson and Tatum to be a deciding factor.
- Pick: Celtics -5.5
- Score Prediction: Celtics 116, Knicks 110
Expect Boston to open the season with a win at home, though the Knicks will keep it close in what could be a preview of a future playoff showdown.
