New York Knicks at Boston Celtics odds, picks and predictions

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The New York Knicks and defending champion Boston Celtics meet Tuesday to open the 2024-25 NBA season. Tip-off from TD Garden is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Knicks vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Boston won 4-1 last season

New York had a huge offseason, trading 5 first-round picks for G Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets and moving key pieces in G Donte DiVincenzo and F Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves for F/C Karl-Anthony Towns. G Jalen Brunson is coming off a career year, making All-NBA 2nd team, and the Knicks did a good job of improving his supporting cast going into the beginning of their championship window.

Boston is the defending champion, but the Celtics have a huge chip on their shoulder coming into this year. Not only do the Celtics want to solidify their greatness by repeating, but F Jayson Tatum and Finals MVP G/F Jaylen Brown feel they have a lot left to prove after being overlooked in unique ways this offseason.

Knicks at Celtics odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Knicks +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Celtics -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +5.5 (-110) | Celtics -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Knicks at Celtics key injuries

Knicks

C Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) out
C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out

Celtics

C Kristaps Porzingis (leg) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Knicks at Celtics picks and predictions

Prediction

Celtics 112, Knicks 105

Moneyline

PASS.

Boston (-225) is the better team, and the Knicks’ lack of center depth is what will really hurt them here. Boston missing Porzingis is huge, but the Celtics were 21-4 without him last year, so they should be fine. However, the Celtics are not worth the risk of betting on as -225 favorites, so bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

LEAN CELTICS -5.5 (-110).

New York made a lot of moves this offseason, and the acquisitions of both Bridges and Towns will make this team better, but they will also take some time to incorporate fluidly. I also have a lot of questions about New York’s defense with Towns being the anchor now that he is not next to a rim-protecting big.

Look for Boston to come out swinging and for the Knicks to experience some growing pains, which will make it difficult for New York to cover.

This is only a lean because New York got better in the offseason and will likely have a very potent offense.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 223.5 (-115).

Both of these teams will likely be among the best offenses in the league this season, but what makes these teams so great is their defenses. Look for Boston to be very good on both sides of the ball and for New York to see a lot of success with its perimeter defense.

I also expect the Knicks to have some growing pains with both Towns and Bridges needing to be incorporated into the offense.

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