Celtics Betting Odds and Predictions for Game 3 vs. Knicks: Boston Looks for Answers After Poor Perimeter Shooting

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Boston Celtics Face Crucial Game 3 Test Against Knicks

The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Boston Celtics as they head into Game 3 of their second-round series against the New York Knicks. After dropping the first two games — and shooting a miserable 25% from three-point range — Boston’s backs are against the wall. Hopes for a turnaround aren’t just being pinned on a home court boost; fans and bettors alike are dissecting every stat and injury update, looking for an edge.

Going 25-for-100 from beyond the arc through two games is no small slump for Boston. This team lived on the three-point line during the regular season, so seeing shots consistently clang off the rim has left plenty of folks scratching their heads. It’s not just bad luck: Jayson Tatum is pushing through a nagging wrist injury, while Derrick White is being given a betting line of 3.5 made threes — a number that looks dicey given the current form. For his part, Jrue Holiday’s postseason shooting history isn’t inspiring much confidence in a sudden turnaround either.

Those injury clouds and the shooting freeze paint a tough picture. Tatum’s production is critical, but with concerns over his wrist, he might not have his shooting rhythm. White, playing heavy minutes, isn’t immune to fatigue. And if bettors are looking for a hero, Holiday’s up-and-down postseason track record should be a flashing yellow light. The Celtics simply don’t have much room for error right now.

Betting Lines, Odds, and the High-Wire Act of Game 3 Predictions

Despite all those roadblocks, the oddsmakers still have the Celtics as the favorites. The spread sits at -5.5 (-120), with Boston’s moneyline at -240. The over/under for total points is posted at 207.5, which reflects the gritty, defense-driven tempo so far in the series. Even with a two-game hole, series odds lean slightly toward Boston at -120, with the Knicks close behind at +100. Clearly, the markets respect Boston’s pedigree — or maybe they’re betting on the idea that the cold shooting streak can’t possibly continue much longer.

Still, a lot of folks who follow the numbers closely are waving caution flags. Betting on Tatum or White to hit their current three-point lines seems risky — not impossible, but not where the smart money would be this week. Regression to the mean could happen, but the Celtics have deeper issues. Their offense has stalled in crunch time, and injuries are limiting their outbursts. Nothing about the Knicks’ play suggests they’re going to simply roll over, either. In the first two games, New York clawed back from deficits and found ways to win, showing tenacity and a level of calm under pressure that’s missing in Boston’s recent play.

If Boston is going to live up to those betting odds, it will take more than a hot shooting night from deep. They need strategic changes, a big lift from their bench, and perhaps a little luck with players’ health. Game 4 is set for May 12, and if Boston doesn’t flip the switch, Game 5 may become little more than an official closeout. For now, both the odds and the court suggest this series is teetering on a knife’s edge — and fans on both sides should brace for some tension.