The Posts Knicks-Celtics Eastern Conference semifinal predictions

The Post makes predictions for the Knicks-Pistons Eastern Conference semifinal series:The Celtics are too good, too deep, too adept at sending the Knicks into mismatches.New York’s best hope is Boston falls into an extended shooting slump.

Don’t think it’s going to happen.Prediction: Celtics 5The Knicks’ offseason overhaul was enacted with the Celtics in mind, but that gap appeared as gaping as ever during a regular-season sweep.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks gutted through the Pistons series, but the defending champs are an entirely different animal and look poised to repeat.Prediction: Celtics in 5The Knicks were fortunate to get past the inexperienced Pistons.

They will be overmatched by Boston.Only key Celtics injuries can turn this into a long series.Prediction: Celtics in 5Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.The Knicks fall thanks to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Tom Thibodeau’s refusal to use his own bench.

Brunson carried the team on his shaky ankle, and Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby were all in the top five in minutes per game this season.They beat Detroit in six, but they’ll wear down and see the tables turned by Boston.Prediction: Celtics in 6The Knicks show for themselves better than they did in the regular season and make it a series.

But too many periods of heavy Brunson isolation offense, along with inconsistency from Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges, mean they can’t overcome the defending champions.The Celtics’ bench — with Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard — will make a difference as well.Prediction: Celtics in 6 Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+.

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