Kristian Ferrell
On May 14, 2025, the NBA playoffs featured a two-game slate starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the New York Knicks facing the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, followed by the Golden State Warriors against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. ET in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals. With the Celtics missing Jayson Tatum for the rest of the playoffs, the Knicks aimed to knock off the defending champions in Boston. The Timberwolves, on a three-game winning streak after Steph Curry's injury, looked to close out the Warriors in Minnesota. Key players to watch included Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 14, 2023 and May 14, 2025 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Games | Knicks vs. Celtics; Warriors vs. Timberwolves |
| Time | 7:00 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET |
| DFS Picks | Kristaps Porziņģis; Karl-Anthony Towns; Jaylen Brown; Payton Pritchard; Jalen Brunson; Donte DiVincenzo; Anthony Edwards; Julius Randle; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Buddy Hield |
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What You'll Learn
Kristaps Porziņģis' expected return to the starting lineup
Kristaps Porziņģis is expected to return to the starting lineup for the Boston Celtics on 14 May 2025. He is likely to see an uptick in usage and may return to the starting lineup. With the Celtics down a key scorer, his role should expand, making 20+ minutes a realistic expectation. Porziņģis has been quiet throughout the series, mostly due to limited minutes, but that is likely to change.
Porziņģis has been out of action since undergoing foot surgery five months ago. He is in his ninth season in the NBA, having been drafted No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He played two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before being traded to the Washington Wizards, where he played for one season. He then joined the Celtics, where he revitalized his career.
Porziņģis is a perfect fit in Boston and his return to the court should make the team even better. He averaged 20.1 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 51% from the field and 37% from three in 57 games last season. With his ability to produce in multiple categories, he is a high-upside option.
The Celtics will be happy to have Porziņģis back as they look to pick themselves up after falling into a 3-1 series hole in the 2025 NBA playoffs and losing Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles tendon. Everyone from Jrue Holiday to Al Horford will have increased roles, and Porziņģis will be expected to step up as well.
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$29.99
Karl-Anthony Towns' consistent performance
Karl-Anthony Towns Jr., nicknamed "KAT", is a Dominican-American professional basketball player for the New York Knicks. He is one of the most consistent performers in the NBA, with an impressive career record.
On December 27, 2020, Towns became one of only five players in NBA history to accumulate over 8,000 points, 4,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in 360 games or fewer. He joined Hall-of-Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Elgin Baylor, and David Robinson in this elite group. Towns' ability to consistently put up impressive numbers showcases his talent and impact on the court.
In terms of scoring, Towns has had numerous standout performances. On March 14, he recorded a career-high 60 points, along with 17 rebounds, in a win against the San Antonio Spurs. He also put up 62 points in a loss against the Hornets in 2024. Additionally, on November 13, Towns scored a season-high 46 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a close loss to the Chicago Bulls. These performances highlight his exceptional scoring ability and his ability to carry the offensive load.
Towns is also a strong rebounder and has recorded multiple games with at least 10 rebounds. On December 19, in his first game back at Target Center after nine years with the Timberwolves, he recorded an impressive 20 rebounds to go along with 32 points and six assists in a victory. His presence on the glass helps his team gain extra possessions and provides second-chance scoring opportunities.
Towns' consistent performance extends beyond just scoring and rebounding. On February 23, 2021, he recorded a career-high 11 assists, along with 26 points and eight rebounds, showcasing his ability to facilitate for his teammates. His well-rounded game makes him a valuable contributor in multiple facets of the game.
In the 2024-25 season, Towns helped lead the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. His consistent production, efficient scoring, and strong rebounding make him a key anchor for the team's frontcourt. Towns' performance in the 2024-25 season further highlights his reliability and impact on the court.
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Jaylen Brown as Boston's No. 1 option
On May 14, 2025, Jaylen Brown was listed as one of the top NBA DFS picks, valued at $8,200 on DraftKings and $8,600 on FanDuel. With Jayson Tatum out due to a torn Achilles tendon, Brown becomes Boston's number one option, a role he has proven he can excel in.
When Tatum missed Game 2 of the first-round series against Orlando, Brown stepped up with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. This included season-highs in points and assists, and his second-highest rebound total of the postseason. Brown's performance against Orlando's top-ranked defense demonstrates his ability to rise to the challenge and makes him a valuable pick for fantasy basketball managers.
Brown has a history of strong performances when Tatum is absent. In March, when Tatum was sidelined, Brown had two standout games, scoring 24 and 26 points. Additionally, Brown has a track record of success at home, scoring at least 20 points and grabbing at least six rebounds in his last four home games against the New York Knicks.
Brown is a four-time NBA All-Star and has helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals in 2022 and 2024, winning a championship and the Finals MVP award in 2024. Aside from his athletic prowess, Brown has achieved accolades off the court as well. At 22, he became the youngest elected vice president of the National Basketball Players Association. He has also been recognised for his work in education and tackling inequality.
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The Celtics' need for more from their players
The Celtics need to step up their game as they face the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Boston is already at a disadvantage without their superstar, Jayson Tatum, who is out with a torn Achilles tendon. With Tatum out, the Celtics will need other players to step up and fill the void he leaves behind. One player who will need to take on a bigger role is Jaylen Brown. Brown has shown that he can perform in Tatum's absence, putting up 36 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a previous game without Tatum. He will need to continue to put up big numbers if the Celtics want to advance.
Another player who could have a bigger impact is Kristaps Porziņģis. Porziņģis has been quiet throughout the series, mostly due to limited minutes. However, with Tatum out, he is expected to see more court time and become a high-upside option for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is another option for Boston. He has been underutilized by the Celtics for most of the series, but he has been efficient when on the floor. In his only game with significant playing time, he put up 35.5 DraftKings points.
The Celtics will also need contributions from their role players, such as Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Donte DiVincenzo. Holiday and Horford will need to step up their games and provide more support for Brown and the rest of the team. DiVincenzo is a viable punt play option, especially with his sub-$4,500 price tag. The Celtics will need to play with urgency and determination if they want to avoid elimination and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
While the Celtics are favored to win Game 5, it will not be an easy task. The Knicks have a strong defense, ranked 9th in scoring defense and 14th in defensive rating. They will look to take advantage of Tatum's absence and knock off the defending champs. Boston will need to play with intensity and find ways to score consistently if they want to come out on top. It is crucial for the Celtics to play as a cohesive unit and have multiple players step up their games to fill the void left by Tatum's injury.
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The Timberwolves' three-game winning streak
The Timberwolves entered their May 14 matchup against the Warriors on a three-game winning streak. They looked to close out the Warriors in Minnesota without their best player, Steph Curry, who was out with an injury. The Timberwolves had won three straight games following Curry's injury, and he would remain out for at least one more game.
Minnesota was favoured by 11 points in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals, with the game carrying a 201.5 total. The Timberwolves' success during their winning streak was due in part to the strong performances of several key players. Anthony Edwards had been a consistent force, putting up 47 or more DraftKings points in every game in the series. His ability to score at all three levels while contributing across the stat sheet gave him one of the safest floors and highest ceilings in the slate.
Another standout performer for the Timberwolves was Karl-Anthony Towns, who had been one of the most consistent performers in the series. He recorded a double-double in all four games against the Boston Celtics, showcasing his efficient scoring and strong rebounding abilities. Towns offered solid value relative to his output, and his balanced stat lines, combined with a secure role and 35+ minute upside, made him a strong option for the team.
In addition to Edwards and Towns, other players contributed to the Timberwolves' success during their winning streak. With Curry out, Buddy Hield saw an increased role, averaging 32 minutes over the last three games of the series. He was expected to see over 30 minutes again on May 14, and his strong road shooting percentage made him a valuable contributor to the team's winning streak.
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Frequently asked questions
The first game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET with the New York Knicks taking on the Boston Celtics. The second game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET and features the Golden State Warriors against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown is one of McClure's top NBA DFS picks. Other picks include Kristaps Porziņģis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Donte DiVincenzo.
With a limited Knicks lineup due to injuries, consider stacking New York starters like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, or Donte DiVincenzo. Also, with Tatum out, Payton Pritchard may see increased playing time and could be a good option for the Celtics.
In the 2024-25 regular season, the Timberwolves won all three games against the Warriors following Steph Curry's injury. The Knicks lost their last two games and will be returning to Madison Square Garden.
On May 14, 2024, Nikola Jokic was one of the top NBA DFS picks. He was coming off a strong performance in Game 4 with 35 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
