Both the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have an 18-20 record ahead of their clash on Thursday — the first of their home-and-home that concludes Saturday in Boston.
The pair of games will be the final two this regular season between these historic clubs.
Boston’s playing Thursday on a back-to-back, falling versus San Antonio last night by a score of 99-97. New York last took the court at home versus Indiana and snapped a two-game losing streak with a 104-94 win.
Tip-off at Madison Square Garden goes at 7:30 p.m. EST. New York’s opened as a 1.5-point home favourite with the over-under set at 210.5 on the NBA odds.
Celtics vs. Knicks January 6th NBA Betting Odds
Failing to take advantage of the home court has hurt the Knicks this year as they stand 8-11 at MSG in 2021. Meanwhile Boston’s struggled on the road in 2021 with wins in seven of 19 games and losses in five straight. The over has hit in seven of those 19 games as well.
Head-to-head, the Celtics have the upper hand with 10 victories in their last 14 versus New York and eight of 11 at New York. But this season the Knicks are 1-0 against Boston at home, winning their season opener 138-134 in a double overtime thriller. In the win, Julius Randle posted a team-high 35 points to go with nine assists and eight rebounds.
Boston Celtics
Wednesday’s loss was Boston’s fourth in their last six games, dropping them to 10th in the East a.k.a. the final play-in spot. Jaylen Brown led all scorers on the court in Boston Wednesday with 30 points and now has 80 points in two games this month. Brown’s 50-point outing last Sunday was a career high as the former third-overall pick is back averaging over 24 points a game this season. His scoring average is second on the Celtics.
Team leading scorer Jayson Tatum returned to action Wednesday and finished with 19 points after missing four games in COVID protocol. Either Brown or Tatum has led Boston in scoring in 16 of their last 17 outings.
New York Knicks
New York got Randle and Mitchell Robinson back Tuesday when hosting Indiana and it made a big difference with Randle finishing with 30 points and 16 rebounds and Robinson eight points and rebounds apiece. Canadian guard R.J. Barrett led all scorers with 32 points on 12 of 20 shooting — reaching his first 30-point night since December 7.
Point guard Kemba Walker missed a fourth straight game for the Knicks with a knee injury. Walker was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on December 27 and averaged just under 20 points game in his six games played in December. Walker is listed as questionable for Thursday.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Knicks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 6 Jan 1:04pm | BOS | -1 -110 | O +210.5 -110 |
Closing 7 Jan 12:05am | BOS | -2 -112 | O +207.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points |
26.92 |
Assists |
5.87 |
Rebounds |
9.64 |
FG% |
100 |
Steals |
1.68 |
Blocks |
2.2 |
Points |
20.1 |
Assists |
5.14 |
Rebounds |
9.94 |
FG% |
76.1 |
Steals |
1.2 |
Blocks |
1.85 |
Points |
28.33 |
Assists |
6.2 |
Rebounds |
9.36 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.5 |
Blocks |
1.83 |
Points | |
Assists | |
Rebounds | Did not qualify |
FG% | |
Steals | |
Blocks |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Knicks Team Leaders
Points |
26.92 |
Assists |
5.87 |
Rebounds |
9.64 |
FG% |
100 |
Steals |
1.68 |
Blocks |
2.2 |
Points |
20.1 |
Assists |
5.14 |
Rebounds |
9.94 |
FG% |
76.1 |
Steals |
1.2 |
Blocks |
1.85 |
Points |
28.33 |
Assists |
6.2 |
Rebounds |
9.36 |
FG% |
66.7 |
Steals |
1.5 |
Blocks |
1.83 |
Points | |
Assists | |
Rebounds | Did not qualify |
FG% | |
Steals | |
Blocks |
Injuries
Robert Williams III (C)
Al Horford (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Sam Hauser (SF)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Al Horford (C)
Marcus Smart (PG)
Quentin Grimes (SG)
Miles McBride (PG)
RJ Barrett (SF)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Quentin Grimes (SG)
Miles McBride (PG)
Julius Randle (PF)
Miles McBride (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Quentin Grimes (SG)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Thurs | Leg - 18 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Williams III is tending to a left leg issue, but it is projected that he will suit up against the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
Al Horford (C) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 17 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Horford has been placed in the league's health and safety protocols, and it is unclear when he will return. |
|||||
Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Thurs | Foot - 16 / 05 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Smart is managing a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. |
|||||
Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 09 / 05 / 22 | 3-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Williams III is bothered by a bone bruise in his left knee, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks. |
|||||
Sam Hauser (SF) | Ques Thurs | Shoulder - 06 / 05 / 22 | 4-2 | 3-4 | + - |
Hauser is battling a right shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat. |
|||||
Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 02 / 05 / 22 | 4-3 | 3-5 | + - |
Smart is tending to a right quad contusion, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Marcus Smart (PG) | day-to-day | Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 22 | 5-3 | 4-5 | + - |
Smart was removed from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks with a right shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will return. |
|||||
Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 22 | 5-3 | 4-5 | + - |
Brown is battling left hamstring tightness, but he is expected to take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. |
|||||
Al Horford (C) | Out Thurs | Rest - 07 / 04 / 22 | 10-4 | 7-8 | + - |
Horford will not be active for Thursday's contest against the Bucks as he will receive a day of rest. |
|||||
Marcus Smart (PG) | Prob Thurs | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22 | 10-4 | 7-8 | + - |
Smart is battling a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Thursday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quentin Grimes (SG) | Out Sun | Knee - 09 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Grimes is tending to soreness in his right knee, and it will affect his availability for Sunday's showdown with the Raptors. |
|||||
Miles McBride (PG) | Out Sun | Knee - 09 / 04 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
McBride is battling right knee soreness, and he will not play against the Raptors on Sunday. |
|||||
RJ Barrett (SF) | Out Sun | Knee - 08 / 04 / 22 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Barrett exited the last game with a sprained right knee, and he will not partake in Sunday's tilt against the Raptors. |
|||||
Mitchell Robinson (C) | Out Sun | Illness - 06 / 04 / 22 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
Robinsonsat has sat out the last two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not suit up against the Raptors on Sunday. |
|||||
Quentin Grimes (SG) | Out Fri | Knee - 05 / 04 / 22 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
Grimes missed the previous matchup due to right knee soreness, and he will not face the Wizards on Friday. |
|||||
Miles McBride (PG) | Ques Wed | Knee - 05 / 04 / 22 | 2-1 | 0-3 | + - |
McBride is bothered by a sore right knee, and it is unknown if he will be available for Wednesday's tilt against the Nets. |
|||||
Julius Randle (PF) | out for season | Quadricep - 01 / 04 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
Randle is expected to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season with a sore right quad tendon. |
|||||
Miles McBride (PG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 01 / 04 / 22 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
McBride missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's tilt versus the Magic. |
|||||
Evan Fournier (SG) | Out Wed | Personal - 30 / 03 / 22 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Fournier is tending to a personal issue, and he will not suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Hornets. |
|||||
Quentin Grimes (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 27 / 03 / 22 | 4-4 | 3-5 | + - |
Grimes has sat out the last four games with right knee soreness, but it is expected that he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Magic. |
-
BOSTON CELTICS
111 -
NEW YORK KNICKS
105
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Jan 1:04pm BOS -1 -110 O +210.5 -110 Closing 7 Jan 12:05am BOS -2 -112 O +207.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 20.1
Assists 5.14
Rebounds 9.94
FG% 76.1
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.85
Points 28.33
Assists 6.2
Rebounds 9.36
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.83
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Knicks Team Leaders
Points 26.92
Assists 5.87
Rebounds 9.64
FG% 100
Steals 1.68
Blocks 2.2
Points 20.1
Assists 5.14
Rebounds 9.94
FG% 76.1
Steals 1.2
Blocks 1.85
Points 28.33
Assists 6.2
Rebounds 9.36
FG% 66.7
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.83
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
Injuries
Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Thurs Leg - 18 / 05 / 22Al Horford (C)
Out indefinitely Illness - 17 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Thurs Foot - 16 / 05 / 22Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 22Sam Hauser (SF)
Ques Thurs Shoulder - 06 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 02 / 05 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
day-to-day Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 22Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 22Al Horford (C)
Out Thurs Rest - 07 / 04 / 22Marcus Smart (PG)
Prob Thurs Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22Quentin Grimes (SG)
Out Sun Knee - 09 / 04 / 22Miles McBride (PG)
Out Sun Knee - 09 / 04 / 22RJ Barrett (SF)
Out Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 22Mitchell Robinson (C)
Out Sun Illness - 06 / 04 / 22Quentin Grimes (SG)
Out Fri Knee - 05 / 04 / 22Miles McBride (PG)
Ques Wed Knee - 05 / 04 / 22Julius Randle (PF)
out for season Quadricep - 01 / 04 / 22Miles McBride (PG)
Prob Sun Knee - 01 / 04 / 22Evan Fournier (SG)
Out Wed Personal - 30 / 03 / 22Quentin Grimes (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 27 / 03 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Robert Williams III (C) Prob Thurs Leg - 18 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Williams III is tending to a left leg issue, but it is projected that he will suit up against the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Al Horford (C) Out indefinitely Illness - 17 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Horford has been placed in the league's health and safety protocols, and it is unclear when he will return.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Thurs Foot - 16 / 05 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Smart is managing a right mid-foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 22 3-2 3-3 + - Williams III is bothered by a bone bruise in his left knee, but it is expected that he will be in the lineup for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks.
Sam Hauser (SF) Ques Thurs Shoulder - 06 / 05 / 22 4-2 3-4 + - Hauser is battling a right shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if he will dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Heat.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Sat Quadricep - 02 / 05 / 22 4-3 3-5 + - Smart is tending to a right quad contusion, but it is projected that he will face the Bucks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Marcus Smart (PG) day-to-day Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 22 5-3 4-5 + - Smart was removed from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Bucks with a right shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will return.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 04 / 22 5-3 4-5 + - Brown is battling left hamstring tightness, but he is expected to take on the Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Al Horford (C) Out Thurs Rest - 07 / 04 / 22 10-4 7-8 + - Horford will not be active for Thursday's contest against the Bucks as he will receive a day of rest.
Marcus Smart (PG) Prob Thurs Ankle - 07 / 04 / 22 10-4 7-8 + - Smart is battling a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Quentin Grimes (SG) Out Sun Knee - 09 / 04 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Grimes is tending to soreness in his right knee, and it will affect his availability for Sunday's showdown with the Raptors.
Miles McBride (PG) Out Sun Knee - 09 / 04 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - McBride is battling right knee soreness, and he will not play against the Raptors on Sunday.
RJ Barrett (SF) Out Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 22 1-1 0-2 + - Barrett exited the last game with a sprained right knee, and he will not partake in Sunday's tilt against the Raptors.
Mitchell Robinson (C) Out Sun Illness - 06 / 04 / 22 2-1 0-3 + - Robinsonsat has sat out the last two games with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he will not suit up against the Raptors on Sunday.
Quentin Grimes (SG) Out Fri Knee - 05 / 04 / 22 2-1 0-3 + - Grimes missed the previous matchup due to right knee soreness, and he will not face the Wizards on Friday.
Miles McBride (PG) Ques Wed Knee - 05 / 04 / 22 2-1 0-3 + - McBride is bothered by a sore right knee, and it is unknown if he will be available for Wednesday's tilt against the Nets.
Julius Randle (PF) out for season Quadricep - 01 / 04 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - Randle is expected to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season with a sore right quad tendon.
Miles McBride (PG) Prob Sun Knee - 01 / 04 / 22 2-3 2-3 + - McBride missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's tilt versus the Magic.
Evan Fournier (SG) Out Wed Personal - 30 / 03 / 22 3-3 2-4 + - Fournier is tending to a personal issue, and he will not suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Hornets.
Quentin Grimes (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 27 / 03 / 22 4-4 3-5 + - Grimes has sat out the last four games with right knee soreness, but it is expected that he will be available for Sunday's matchup with the Magic.