Mikal Bridges is so critical defensively, he played 51 of 53 possible minutes in Game 1. Bridges' shot wasn't falling as he went 3 of 13 for eight points. However, Bridges averaged 17.6 points this season and 16.2 points in the first-round series against Detroit. I like him to shoot better in Game 2 and get the minutes he needs to score at least 14.

I understand the hesitation to play heavily juiced player props, but think of it as a moneyline bet under -200. Before Game 1 of this series, Derrick White recorded a steal in 7 of his last 8 games and in 8 of his last 9 games against the Knicks. Despite not recording a steal in his last game, he has recorded a steal in 8 of his last 10 games (80%) against the Knicks. We have White recording a steal in around 70% of simulations, meaning we would set the line at a price above -200. Considering the history (80%) and simulations (70%), -188 is a strong price, especially when other books have it at -250.

Payton Pritchard won the 6th Man of the Year after averaging over 14 points this season. While his role in the playoffs isn’t as significant, getting a line far below his average is worth a play. Pritchard is projected for 8 points in our model, but several factors could increase his shot volume. Sam Houser is likely out with a sprained ankle, Kristaps Porzingis is playing through an illness and only lasted 13 minutes last game, and Jrue Holiday is dealing with a hamstring injury. The Celtics shot just 25% from deep in Game 1, but Pritchard shot 2/5 (40%). If the Celtics continue to rely on perimeter shooting, Pritchard should get more opportunities.

DraftKings. Jrue Holiday is coming off a 16-point effort in Game 1, in which he showed no ill-effects from his injury (34 regulation minutes, 39 total minutes). Holiday was the beneficiary of a defense that was designed to leave him open, with Jalen Brunson defending him. Holiday took advantage by cutting to the basket freely. It’s a strategy that’s worked for Holiday and the Celtics all season, as Jrue has scored at least 14 points in each of the four matchups with the Knicks. Even with Kristaps Porzingis likely playing a full workload tonight - I do like Holiday to continue to thrive in his role. I’d bet this up to over 10.5 points at -105 or better.

Josh Hart logged 45 minutes with the Knicks winning in overtime in Game 1. He turned those heavy minutes into 28 combined points, rebounds and assists. In the Knicks seven playoff games, Hart has combined for at least 26 points, rebounds and assists six times. He faced the Celtics four times during the regular season and combined for at least 28 points, rebounds and assists three times. With plenty of minutes likely coming his way, look for him to stuff the stat sheet again in Game 2.

A reminder last night by the Cavs that the venerable NBA Game 2 zig-zag doesn't always win, but that doesn't mean the Celtics can't make it work tonight. Well into the 3rd Q, Game 1 looked like a potential blowout, but Boston's normal, if bit excessive, insistence on 3-balls came back to bite it The Celtics' 19 of 20 shots in the 3rd Q were triples, and for the game, they were 15 of 60 beyond the arc. Missing 45 shots from downtown is hard to comprehend, and the Knicks barged thru that open door. Credit Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby for fueling the Knick comeback on Monday, but can the Celtics be any less efficient than Monday? Play Celtics

We were reminded again on Monday that OT can be "an overs best friend" in Game One of Knicks-Celtics. We suspect Game Two won't need an extra five minutes to get above 210 tonight, and that we won't see Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum a combined 5 of 25 beyond the arc for Boston as they were on Monday. Indeed, the Celtics missed an astounding 45 triples, so it's not asking much expecting a bit more efficiency from Boston tonight. Keep in mind these sides scored plenty in their regular-season meetings, in which none of the four clashes landed beneath 223 points. Note NBA playoff overs are now 17-6 since the middle of the first round (even including two slow-paced Warriors unders). Play Knicks-Celtics Over

Boston was a very good +2.1 in 3pt differential this season, but they were a stellar +3.5 last season. A 1.4 percentage point drop may not sound like a lot but but it’s the difference between being 8th in the league (Indiana) vs being 17th in the league (Toronto). I do not see this as a simple case of Boston regressing to the mean after they were -21% in 3pt differential in Game 1. They will certainly be closer than that in Game 2, but not necessarily be +5 or even +2%. I also love that NY knows they can’t be satisfied with just a split at Boston because the Celtics are a better team on the road than they are at home.

It took some real weird stuff for this not to hit despite OT in Game 1. Credit the Knicks if you want but there were way too many open looks missed by the Celtics. Forty-five missed 3s in a playoff game at home? That won't happen again. They got away from driving and forcing the D to collapse but averaged 39 points in the paint vs NY in the regular season. Too much time off between series came back to bite them and home teams shot poorly from 3 in the openers after layoffs. That trend won't continue. Boston will get balanced offensively and hopefully get KP back on the floor, too. Regardless, they score 115+ here.