The New York Knicks (4-4) welcome the Boston Celtics (5-3) to Madison Square Garden Saturday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Celtics vs. Knicks odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Knicks are coming into this game following a 106-104 road win over the 76ers last night. G Jalen Brunson led the team with 23, and F RJ Barrett chipped in 22 as well.
New York has played well this season at MSG at 3-1. The Knicks are led by Brunson, who they signed this offseason. He is averaging 19.0 points per game.
The Celtics, on the other hand, were able to outlast the Bulls last night on the road, winning 123-119. Boston’s kryptonite has been Cleveland as 2 of its 3 losses have come against the Cavaliers.
F Jayson Tatum has ascended into a full-blown MVP candidate this season, averaging 30.9 points per game and shooting 50.3% from the field. He’s also averaging a career-high 8.5 rebounds per game.
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Celtics at Knicks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -180 (bet $180 to win $100) | Knicks +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -4.5 (-108) | Knicks +4.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Celtics at Knicks key injuries
Celtics
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Knicks
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For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Knicks picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 115, Celtics 111
Moneyline
PASS.
The Knicks have been solid at home. I like them here, but I’d rather play the points.
Against the spread
BET KNICKS +4.5 (-112).
The Knicks have good depth and quality size in the paint to give Boston issues. Their offense has also been drastically better while the Celtics defense has taken a step back this season.
Boston is just 1-3 against the spread (ATS) this season as a road favorite. It has a negative net rating and has the 19th-worst road defensive rating. The Knicks, on the other hand, are 2-2 ATS at home.
The Celtics also rank in the bottom half of the league in defensive rebounding rate on the road while the Knicks sit 6th in offensive rebounding rate.
The battle on the glass should lean New York, and that will create enough 2nd-chance efforts for them to cover this spread.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 224.5 (-110).
Considering the Celtics haven’t defended well on the road and gave up 119 to Chicago last night, the Knicks could easily top 110.
New York has put up 115 or more in 3 of 4 home games and 130 or more in 2 of 4. The Celtics have the scoring prowess in Tatum and F Jaylen Brown to keep pace with New York.
These teams are a combined 9-6-1 O/U this season. I’d lean OVER 224.5 (-110) here.
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