Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Prediction, NBA Odds
These teams won’t meet in the first round of the playoffs, but there’s a strong possibility they meet in Round 2. The Celtics have already clinched their division and they sit second in the Eastern Conference following a 124-90 spanking of Washington on Sunday. The Knicks are coming off a 112-98 win against Phoenix and sit third in the East, although they are eight game behind Boston.
New York is a 1.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with the total pegged at 221.5.
Celtics vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds
The Celtics are aiming for a sweep of the season series. The three games haven’t been particularly close, with Boston winning by an average margin of 21 points.
The Celtics are scorching hot on the season with 11 wins in their last 12 games. Sitting four games behind Cleveland, however, it would be a stretch for Boston to catch the Cavs for the top of the conference.
The Knicks have also been playing solid ball, winning five of six, but they’re at a stalemate in the standings. New York won’t catch Boston, so the focus is holding off Indiana, who they lead by three games.
Both teams have losing records against the spread, but they’ve each been solid cover options in recent play. The Celtics are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games, while the Knicks have covered in five of their last six. The edge goes to Boston as they’re 6-1 ATS in their last seven against New York.
Boston Celtics
Boston finished with a season-high 62 rebounds in an absolute beatdown of the shorthanded Wizards. Luke Kornet had 14 rebounds and 13 points, while Al Horford put up 10 rebounds and 11 points. Payton Pritchard recorded a game-high 20 points and Derrick White scored 19. The Celtics should be plenty rested on Tuesday as Kornet, who was only in the opening lineup because Kristaps Porzingis rested, was the lone starter to see the floor in the fourth quarter. Porzingis is listed as questionable against the Knicks.
New York Knicks
Former Toronto Raptor OG Anunoby continued the hottest scoring stretch of his career on Sunday, scoring 19 of his 32 points in the third quarter. Mikal Bridges added 22 points and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 19 points and 13 rebounds. New York received a big boost to the lineup with the return of Jalen Brunson, who scored 15 points after missing the previous month with an ankle injury. Miles McBride also returned from injury on Sunday, making the Knicks fully healthy for the final week of the season. That will be key as New York faces the top two teams in the conference, Boston and Cleveland, as well as their likely first round playoff opponent, Detroit.
BOS
NY