From Brink to Brilliance: Knicks and Nuggets Stun in Game 1 NBA Semifinal Upsets
If Monday night was any indication of what’s to come, the 2025 NBA Conference Semifinals are set to be a rollercoaster. Two gripping matchups delivered electrifying conclusions as the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets defied the odds—and the scoreboard—to take 1-0 leads in their respective series.
Each game was a tale of grit, resilience, and unexpected heroics. For bettors and fans alike, this was a night where the underdogs didn’t just survive—they stole the spotlight.
Comeback Kings: Knicks Rally Past Celtics in Overtime
Trailing by 20 points in the second half and having lost all four regular season meetings to the Boston Celtics, the Knicks looked dead in the water at TD Garden. But playoff basketball has a way of writing new scripts, and New York authored a stunner.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the charge with 29 points apiece, as the Knicks clawed their way back into the contest with a combination of defensive grit and offensive precision. Karl-Anthony Towns added a critical double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges etched his name in the Game 1 narrative with the defensive play of the night—stripping Jaylen Brown with a second left in OT to seal a remarkable 108-105 win.
Boston’s offensive collapse was as glaring as New York’s resolve. The Celtics hoisted a staggering 60 three-point attempts and missed 45 of them—an NBA playoff record. Despite strong individual efforts from Tatum and Brown (23 points each), Boston’s second-half strategy of settling for deep shots proved costly.
Coach Joe Mazzulla cited the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who exited with illness after just 13 minutes, but the missed opportunities extended far beyond one player.
From a betting perspective, America Bet’s original preview had tipped Boston to take Game 1 based on their depth and season-long dominance. However, one of the standout betting suggestions—OG Anunoby to record 1+ block—proved accurate, as did the prediction that New York’s bench would struggle to exceed 20.5 points, which they barely edged.
Anunoby’s defensive assignment on Tatum was also highlighted in the preview, and his two-way impact turned out to be game-changing. While New York’s victory was a surprise, the factors that fuelled it were foreshadowed for savvy bettors who read between the lines.
Nuggets Channel Champion DNA to Edge Thunder in OKC
Over in the Western Conference, the defending champions looked like they were still catching their breath from a brutal seven-game series against the Clippers. For much of the night in Oklahoma City, the Thunder had the upper hand—and a double-digit lead late in the fourth.
But if Denver has taught the NBA anything over the past few seasons, it’s that they’re never out until the final buzzer.
Nikola Jokic was nothing short of phenomenal, dropping 42 points and pulling down 22 rebounds in a Herculean effort. Yet it was Aaron Gordon who emerged once again as the unlikely hero, drilling a clutch three-pointer with 2.8 seconds left to hand Denver a jaw-dropping 121-119 victory.
It was Gordon’s second game-winner of these playoffs, and it reinforced his growing reputation as the Nuggets’ spiritual heartbeat. Russell Westbrook also played a pivotal role off the bench, notably assisting on Gordon’s dagger in what was his first postseason appearance in OKC as an opponent.
Thunder fans were left stunned. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a vintage performance with 33 points, 10 boards, and 8 assists, but his supporting cast faltered in the clutch. Chet Holmgren’s missed free throws with OKC leading by one opened the door for Denver, and they didn’t hesitate to march through.
The America Bet preview had backed OKC to win Game 1, citing their rest advantage and youthful energy. But bettors who followed individual picks were still rewarded—Jokic triple-double came close (42-22-6), and Gordon over 2.5 assists was a successful prop.
Denver’s ability to manage foul trouble (including a flagrant 1 on Jokic) and composure under pressure proved decisive. For Oklahoma City, this will be a bitter pill—especially after leading 113-102 with just over four minutes remaining.
Betting Takeaways from a Wild Night
While both game winners defied the match predictions made in the initial previews, plenty of prop bets and performance-based suggestions from America Bet still paid off:
- Jason Tatum over 28.5 points fell short, but Jalen Brunson over 6.5 assists nearly cashed.
- Total points over 220.5 in Nuggets vs Thunder was accurate.
- Thunder to score first 10 points was another tip that landed for those tracking momentum.
- Jokic triple-double nearly landed, with historic numbers.
- Aaron Gordon impact was hinted at in the preview and turned out to be game-deciding.
For readers and bettors looking ahead to Game 2, these insights are invaluable. Momentum has shifted, but the series are far from over.
And as always, for deeper previews, expert betting breakdowns, and a wealth of NBA insight, America Bet remains your go-to source for every playoff matchup.
