Tom Thibodeau Predicts Which Boston Celtics Player Will Give New York Knicks Trouble in Game 2

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By JH Kubicek | Last updated May 7, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The New York Knicks came back from down 20 points to topple the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their second-round matchup, although they know that the Celtics will bounce back in Game 2 and present even more of a challenge.

All season long, Boston has been the favorite to win the NBA Finals, and in the regular season, they dominated the Knicks, winning all four games. With a win finally under the Knicks' belt, head coach Tom Thibodeau knows one player in particular will bring his best effort in Game 2.

In Game 1, Jrue Holiday finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists. He shot 50 percent from the floor, but what really stood out was the rebounding.

Five of his six boards were off the offensive glass, shocking for a smaller guard.

"I thought Holiday hurt us with his offensive rebounding," said Tom Thibodeau. "We've got to make sure that we get a body on him. He's really quick to the ball. And as a team, they're quick to the ball. So we have to do a better job with that."

The Knicks as a team got outrebounded 59-49 in the game, and were only able to crawl back thanks to Boston going cold from deep, although Holiday won't stand for that in Game 2.

"He has a multiple-effort mentality," continued Thibodeau. "He makes a lot of tough plays for us, plays with physicality. But it's physicality with intelligence. It's not reckless fouls. It's body position. It's anticipation. It's thinking ahead. It's reading the play. It's reading the tendency. He's got great instincts for that."

Game 2 will tip off in Boston at 7:00 on Wednesday, with the broadcast being carried by TNT.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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