The NBA playoffs are back on Tuesday with two massive Game 4 matchups. New York leads 2-1 after stealing Games 1 (108-105 OT) and 2 (91-90) in Boston, overcoming a 20-point deficit in both. But Boston bounced back in Game 3, winning 115-93 at MSG. The Timberwolves head into Game 4 against the Warriors with a 2-1 series lead, fresh off a gritty 102-97 victory at Chase Centre and there’s no Curry for the home side.<\/p>\n
The Boston Celtics enter Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, with renewed confidence after a commanding 115-93 victory in Game 3, looking to level the series at 2-2 at the raucous Madison Square Garden. Fresh off a 50% 3-point shooting performance (20\/40) and a defensive masterclass that held the Knicks to 101.4 points per 100 possessions\u201415.9 below their season average\u2014Boston aims to exploit New York\u2019s interior struggles and Jalen Brunson\u2019s heavy offensive load.<\/p>\n
Jayson Tatum, averaging 33.5 points against the Knicks in the regular season, is primed for a bounce-back after a 29% series shooting clip, while Payton Pritchard\u2019s bench spark (23 points, 5\/10 3P in Game 3) adds firepower. Al Horford and Derrick White will be key in containing Karl-Anthony Towns, who battled a finger injury in Game 3, and Mikal Bridges\u2019 defensive pressure.<\/p>\n
Despite Kristaps Porzingis\u2019 probable but limited status (illness), Boston\u2019s top-5 defence and 17-3 road record in their last 20 games make them -6.5 spread favourites in what promises to be a high-intensity clash. Expect a tight contest, with Boston\u2019s championship pedigree giving them the edge to push the series back to TD Garden all square.<\/p>\n
The Knicks enter Game 4 against the Celtics holding a 2-1 series lead at Madison Square Garden, aiming to push their advantage to 3-1 after stunning 20-point comeback wins in Games 1 (108-105 OT) and 2 (91-90). Despite a 115-93 Game 3 loss, where they shot just 5\/20 from three and were outrebounded 46-38, the Knicks rely on Jalen Brunson\u2019s clutch scoring (27 points in Game 3) and Mikal Bridges\u2019 elite defence to counter Boston\u2019s 50% 3-point barrage.<\/p>\n
With Karl-Anthony Towns battling a finger injury but expected to play, and the raucous MSG crowd fueling their 7-4 ATS record in recent games, New York looks to exploit Boston\u2019s second-half lapses (seen in Games 1-2) and regain offensive rhythm in a must-win battle to maintain series control.<\/p>\n
Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n New York are 1-5 in its last 6 games at home. Boston are 5-0 in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New York.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n In the last 10, the Celtics are 7-3.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n I think Boston leverages their Game 3 blueprint \u2014 exploiting Brunson\/Towns defensively and shooting 40%+ from 3 \u2014 to win, covering the -6.5 spread and tying the series 2-2.<\/p>\n Boston Celtics -6.5 = $1.96<\/a><\/p>\n Same Game Multi<\/strong><\/p>\n Boston\u2019s ability to exploit Brunson and Towns defensively (targeted often by Tatum and Brown) and their 50% 3P shooting in Game 3 suggest another strong performance. The series has leaned under, Boston\u2019s defensive intensity (8 blocks, 6 steals in Game 3) and New York\u2019s interior scoring struggles should keep the total down. Tatum\u2019s volume (40 minutes, high shot attempts) and history vs. New York make 25+ pts a solid bet.<\/p>\n Celtics -6.5 \/ Under 209.5 pts \/ Tatum 25+ pts = $5.00<\/a><\/p>\n The Timberwolves (49-33, 4th in West) are proving they\u2019re a force in the playoffs, taking a 2-1 lead over the Warriors with a 102-97 win in Game 4 at Chase Centre. Anthony Edwards was electric, pouring in 36 points (12\/25 FG, 5\/12 3P) with 4 assists and 4 rebounds, while Julius Randle delivered a monster triple-double (24 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, 9\/20 FG).<\/p>\n Minnesota\u2019s size, led by Rudy Gobert\u2019s rebounding and Jaden McDaniels\u2019 defence, overwhelmed Golden State\u2019s small-ball lineups, especially in the clutch fourth quarter (33-24). Despite 14 turnovers, their 42.4% FG and 34.3% 3P shooting, paired with a top-10 defence (holding Warriors to 97 points), kept them in control.<\/p>\n With a 2-1 series lead against Golden State and a knack for exploiting mismatches, the Timberwolves are primed to push for a commanding 3-1 lead in a hostile environment.<\/p>\n The Warriors (48-34, 7th in West) are on the ropes, trailing 2-1 after a 102-97 loss in Game 4 at home, where they fought hard but couldn\u2019t overcome Stephen Curry\u2019s absence (hamstring).<\/p>\n Jimmy Butler III led the charge with 33 points (12\/22 FG, 4\/8 3P), 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Jonathan Kuminga added 30 points (11\/20 FG, estimated) and 6 rebounds, showing their athleticism against Minnesota\u2019s bigs.<\/p>\n Golden State shot a decent 42.7% FG and 43.5% 3P (10\/23), but their low 23 3-point attempts and 14 turnovers (leading to 15+ Timberwolves points) hurt them. Despite a 2-2 regular-season split with Minnesota, the Warriors\u2019 reliance on Butler and Kuminga without Curry\u2019s floor-spacing limited their offence. They\u2019ll need to lean on their 41.0 rebounds per game and home crowd to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Golden State are just 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home. Minnesota are 4-1 in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Timberwolves are 4-3 in the last 7 meetings.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Minnesota\u2019s Game 4 win (102-97) showed their ability to close out tight games, with Edwards (36 pts) and Randle (24-10-12) exploiting Golden State\u2019s small lineups. The Timberwolves\u2019 top-10 defence (98.7 pts allowed pre-game) and 8-2 record in recent games make them likely to cover, especially with Curry\u2019s absence limiting Warriors\u2019 3-point volume (23 3PA in Game 4).<\/p>\nMinnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors (Game 4, MIN leads series 2-1)<\/h3>\n