The first-place Celtics don’t have much to play for in this tilt, but the Knicks are right in the middle of a last-second positioning race. Going into Thursday the Knicks hold the East’s third spot and are 1.5 games behind Milwaukee for second but also 2.5 games ahead of Philadelphia for seventh. So while a lot of crazy things would have to happen, with three games remaining New York can finish as high as second place or as low as seventh and have to compete in the play-in round.

Tip-off at TD Garden goes at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Knicks a slight -115 moneyline favourite on the road and the total set at 214.5 on the NBA odds.

Knicks vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds

While the Knicks have been ascending this season and throughout the past couple dating back, Boston has continued to be the hurdle New York can’t jump over. The Celtics are 4-0 this season against the Knicks with three wins by double digits. Over New York’s past 18 trips to Boston, the Knicks have five wins to show for it.

Boston has a 13-game home win streak going. They are an outstanding 35-3 on home court this season, but the Knicks are favoured for a reason. All of Jayson Tatum (knee), Jaylen Brown (hand), Jrue Holiday (patella), and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) are questionable to play. And with the Celtics having clinched first in the NBA — you can read between the lines on whether this quartet of key players will suit up.

New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson is on such a tear for the Knicks right now that this team can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Brunson, now the NBA’s fourth-leading scoring with 28.4 points per game, has four straight games of at least 35 points and is coming off back-to-back 40-point nights. Brunson knocked down seven threes in New York’s 128-117 victory over Chicago, the Knicks third win in their last four outings.

The Knicks are 3-2 this month and when they win they’ve scored at least 120 points, while in their two defeats they have totalled 99 and 100 points. It’s not rocket science that this team needs to find consistency in order to be a contender in the postseason but Thursday presents another key test for just that aspect.

Boston Celtics

Obviously if all of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis do sit out Thursday with their various injuries, the Celtics will be in tough to beat a talented New York squad but that’s not to say Boston’s role players are slouches. Point guard Payton Pritchard led Boston in scoring three games ago in a win versus Sacramento and Boston will still have their top assist man in the lineup in Derrick White (5.2 assists per game).

Boston’s a true contender because they are so deep, and that extends past their starting five. Whether the likes of Pritchard, White, Sam Hauser, and Co. will be enough to beat a Knicks team pursuing playoff positioning doesn’t seem too promising at first glance — but you may be better safe than sorry to count this Celtics team out.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Knicks vs. Celtics?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Knicks Team Leaders

NY

Points	Jalen Brunson 28.73
Assists	Jalen Brunson 6.74
Rebounds	Julius Randle 9.2
FG%	Jericho Sims 69.1
Steals	O.G. Anunoby 1.74
Blocks	Precious Achiuwa 1.14

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 26.85
Assists	Derrick White 5.16
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.12
FG%	Luke Kornet 70
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.19
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.95

NY

Points	Jalen Brunson 32.38
Assists	Jalen Brunson 7.46
Rebounds	Josh Hart 11.54
FG%	Jericho Sims 100
Steals	Donte DiVincenzo 1.23
Blocks	Precious Achiuwa 1.33

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 25
Assists	Jayson Tatum 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 9.68
FG%	Neemias Queta 66.7
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.21
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.57

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Celtics Team Leaders

NY

Points	Jalen Brunson 28.73
Assists	Jalen Brunson 6.74
Rebounds	Julius Randle 9.2
FG%	Jericho Sims 69.1
Steals	O.G. Anunoby 1.74
Blocks	Precious Achiuwa 1.14

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 26.85
Assists	Derrick White 5.16
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 8.12
FG%	Luke Kornet 70
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.19
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.95

NY

Points	Jalen Brunson 32.38
Assists	Jalen Brunson 7.46
Rebounds	Josh Hart 11.54
FG%	Jericho Sims 100
Steals	Donte DiVincenzo 1.23
Blocks	Precious Achiuwa 1.33

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 25
Assists	Jayson Tatum 6.26
Rebounds	Jayson Tatum 9.68
FG%	Neemias Queta 66.7
Steals	Jaylen Brown 1.21
Blocks	Kristaps Porzingis 1.57

Injuries

New York

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Sun Abdominal - 19 / 05 / 24

O.G. Anunoby (SF)

Out Sun Hamstring - 19 / 05 / 24

Josh Hart (SG)

Prob Sun Abdominal - 18 / 05 / 24

O.G. Anunoby (SF)

Ques Sun Hamstring - 08 / 05 / 24

Mitchell Robinson (C)

out for season Ankle - 07 / 05 / 24

Mitchell Robinson (C)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24

Jericho Sims (C)

Ques Wed Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 24

Jericho Sims (C)

Prob Tues Shoulder - 29 / 04 / 24

Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)

out for season Wrist - 28 / 04 / 24

Mitchell Robinson (C)

Prob Tues Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24

Boston

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Prob Mon Leg - 11 / 06 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Ques Thurs Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 05 / 24

Jrue Holiday (PG)

Prob Sun Illness - 25 / 05 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Prob Mon Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24

Xavier Tillman (PF)

Ques Sat Personal - 20 / 05 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Prob Mon Calf - 12 / 05 / 24

Kristaps Porzingis (PF)

Prob Thur Calf - 29 / 04 / 24

Luke Kornet (C)

Prob Sat Calf - 20 / 04 / 24

Al Horford (C)

Prob Sun Toe - 12 / 04 / 24

Injuries

New York

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Sun	Abdominal - 19 / 05 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Hart is battling an abdominal strain, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
O.G. Anunoby (SF)	Out Sun	Hamstring - 19 / 05 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Anunoby has a hamstring injury, and he will not suit up against the Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Josh Hart (SG)	Prob Sun	Abdominal - 18 / 05 / 24	1-1	1-1	+ -
Hart is battling an abdominal soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
O.G. Anunoby (SF)	Ques Sun	Hamstring - 08 / 05 / 24	3-3	3-3	+ -
Anunoby missed the last game dealing with a left hamstring strain, and its is unclear if he will take part against the Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	out for season	Ankle - 07 / 05 / 24	3-3	3-3	+ -
Robinson is likely to miss the remainder of the season while recovering from a stress injury to his left ankle.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 01 / 05 / 24	4-4	5-3	+ -
Robinson is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be a participant in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.
Jericho Sims (C)	Ques Wed	Shoulder - 01 / 05 / 24	4-4	5-3	+ -
Sims is battling right shoulder inflammation, and it is uncertain if he will take the floor in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Pacers.
Jericho Sims (C)	Prob Tues	Shoulder - 29 / 04 / 24	5-4	5-4	+ -
Sims is tending to right shoulder inflammation, but he is expected to take on the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Bojan Bogdanovic (SF)	out for season	Wrist - 28 / 04 / 24	5-5	6-4	+ -
Bogdanovic will miss the rest of the 2023-24 season after having surgery to repair injuries to his left foot and left wrist.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 24 / 04 / 24	5-6	6-5	+ -
Robinson is dealing with a left ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will be a participant in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the 76ers.

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Prob Mon	Leg - 11 / 06 / 24	1-1	0-3	+ -
Porzingis is nursing a lower leg injury, but he is expected to be on court against the Mavericks on Monday in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Luke Kornet (C)	Ques Thurs	Wrist - 30 / 05 / 24	2-2	0-5	+ -
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 26 / 05 / 24	3-3	2-5	+ -
Holiday is ailing from illness, but he is projected to be on court against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	Prob Sun	Illness - 25 / 05 / 24	3-3	2-5	+ -
Holiday is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but he is likely to be on court against the Pacers on Sunday.
Luke Kornet (C)	Prob Mon	Wrist - 24 / 05 / 24	3-3	2-5	+ -
Kornet is dealing with a left wrist sprain injury, but he is expected to play against the Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Xavier Tillman (PF)	Ques Sat	Personal - 20 / 05 / 24	3-5	4-5	+ -
Tillman has missed the last two game because of the personal reasons, and it is unclear if he will play Saturday against the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Luke Kornet (C)	Prob Mon	Calf - 12 / 05 / 24	4-7	5-7	+ -
Kornet has a right calf injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)	Prob Thur	Calf - 29 / 04 / 24	8-7	7-9	+ -
Porzingis is dealing with a right calf strain, and he is expected to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Mavericks on Thursday.
Luke Kornet (C)	Prob Sat	Calf - 20 / 04 / 24	9-8	9-10	+ -
Kornet has been out of commission with a right calf strain, but he is expected to return to the court for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Al Horford (C)	Prob Sun	Toe - 12 / 04 / 24	10-9	11-10	+ -
Horford has a left big toe sprain, but he is expected to line up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.