The New York Knicks (13-16) travel to TD Garden Saturday to take on the Boston Celtics (14-15). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Celtics lost as 4-point home underdogs to the Golden State Warriors 111-107 Friday. They were down 20 points in the second quarter but managed to battle back to only lose 4, helping those that got their ticket at +4.5.
Led by SF Jayson Tatum and SG Jaylen Brown, the Celtics will be short-handed, mainly in their backcourt. They were down C Al Horford and PF Grant Williams against Golden State.
The Celtics are 15-13-1 ATS this season. The Knicks, who have been drastically disappointing so far, have one of the worst ATS records at 12-17.
Sadly, this matchup will look far different than the thriller that helped commence the season. New York SG RJ Barrett is out and PG Kemba Walker isn’t getting minutes. The Knicks will need a ton of help to pull this upset off, having lost 4 of their last 5.
Knicks at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Celtics -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +4.5 (-107) | Celtics -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 210.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Knicks at Celtics key injuries
Knicks
- SG RJ Barrett (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Quentin Grimes (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Kevin Knox II (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Immanuel Quickley (health and safety protocols) out
- PG Derrick Rose (ankle) questionable
- PF Obi Toppin (health and safety protocols) out
Celtics
- Not yet submitted (below is from Friday’s game)
- PF Jabari Parker (health and safety protocols) out
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Knicks at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 107, Knicks 100
Money line
PASS.
On the second night of a back-to-back, despite being at home, I wouldn’t lay -190 on the Celtics. Similarly, the Knicks (+155) haven’t shown enough this season to think they’d pull off the upset on the road.
Against the spread
BET CELTICS -4.5 (-115) as Tatum and Brown will be the two most talented players on the court, and the Knicks are extremely short-handed.
Key role players, which the Knicks would need to pull off this upset, will be out. The Knicks got 19 points from Barrett in the two teams’ first meeting, while SG Evan Fournier had 32.
The Celtics rank 14th in net rating, meaning they’re a bit better than their sub-.500 record indicates. The Knicks sit at 22nd, better than their already-poor record shows.
A sharp difference from last season, the Knicks can’t defend. The Celtics just put up 107 on the league’s best defense. Expect them to route the Knicks at home in this one.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 210.5 (-110) as both teams are missing key players. The Celtics have the 11th-best defense, with PG Marcus Smart set to lead the way. Brown is also an underrated defender.
The Celtics and Knicks have both been unprofitable when it comes to betting the Over. The Celtics are 12-16-1 on the total while the Knicks are 13-16. New York has been disappointing offensively.
With that in mind, I’d bet against points here as it’s been smart to do all season for these two teams.
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