May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after being fouled against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-Imagn Images Craig Mitchelldyer-Imagn Images

Dwight Howard Makes Bold Call Before Knicks-Celtics Game

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated May 14, 2025 7:02 PM ET

On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks will play Game 5 of their second-round playoff series in Massachusetts.

The Celtics will need a victory to avoid getting eliminated in the second round.

They will also play their first game of the series without their best player (Jayson Tatum).

Jayson Tatum in good spirits after undergoing successful surgery on his Achilles pic.twitter.com/diCXiaVfcK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 14, 2025

Before the game, future Basketball Hall of Famer Dwight Howard made a strong prediction that the Knicks will win the game.

Howard (via the NBA on TNT): "I think Boston is going to come out with a really good effort. They're gonna come out with a lot energy. But I just see the Knicks winning. I got the Knicks going to the Eastern Conference finals."

While the Celtics will be without Tatum, they still have a loaded roster with Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.

In addition, their home crowd will likely help them in a big way on Wednesday.

Via Underdog NBA: "Jaylen Brown in 40 career games without Jayson Tatum:

27.6 PPG
7.2 RPG
4.0 APG
50.4% FG"

Jaylen Brown in 40 career games without Jayson Tatum:

27.6 PPG
7.2 RPG
4.0 APG
50.4% FG pic.twitter.com/szOH5exDFU
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 14, 2025

In order to prove Howard wrong, Brown will need to have a strong performance.

He finished the regular season with averages of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 46.3% from the field and 32.4% from the three-point range in 63 games.

“This is one opportunity for Jaylen Brown to put this team on his back and not only get Game 5, but actually try to go and get this series being down 3-1.” @KendrickPerkins says the stage is set for Jaylen Brown to bring the Celtics back in their series against the Knicks ☘️ pic.twitter.com/xfHByYpnLz
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 14, 2025

The winner of the series will advance to the Eastern Conference finals to face off against the Indiana Pacers (who beat the Cleveland Cavaliers).

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: