One of the longest-standing rivalries in the NBA tips off Monday night when the Boston Celtics meet the New York Knicks for the 488th time in the regular season. The Celtics have 300 wins to the Knicks’ 187 in one of the great NBA matchups.
Both teams appear to be squarely in the playoffs, with the Boston Celtics standings showing them first in the Eastern Conference at 44-17 and the Knicks sitting tied for fifth at 35-27. New York has a six-game edge on the final play-in spot.
Before offering our Celtics vs Knicks picks, here is a breakdown of each team in the marquee game on the NBA schedule.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Odds
The NBA odds today show the Celtics are favored by two points with -135 moneyline odds. The Knicks are +115 on the moneyline. The over/under was set at 223.5 points as of this writing. Betting on either side of the spread or point total comes at -110 odds.
Over the last ten meetings, the teams have split wins both straight up and against the spread at 5-5. The over is 6-4 in those games, and the Celtics are 4-4 against the spread as favorites in that stretch.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Information
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
Location of the Game: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.
Date and Time: Monday, February 27, 2023, 7:30 PM ET.
How to Watch: NBA League Pass
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Analysis
Boston Celtics Performance Recap and Analysis
The Celtics have won seven of their last eight games, and that loss was in overtime visiting the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston is facing its third road game since the return from the All-Star break.
The NBA team stats show the Celtics are one of the top teams in the league. They are third in scoring at 118.1 points per game, 14th in efficiency in making 47.6% of field goal attempts, sixth with a 38.0% 3-point percentage, and third with an 82.5% free throw percentage.
Defensively, the Celtics are seventh in allowing 112.1 points per game, eighth in holding teams to 46.7% on field goal attempts, and 11th in limiting opponents to 35.5% on 3-pointers. That is an impressive first year for coach Joe Mazzulla, who earned the permanent coaching job.
Jayson Tatum has etched his name into the MVP conversation. The rangy wing is averaging 30.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, NBA player stats show, for the East’s best team.
Boston Celtics Key Injuries
Along with forward Danilo Gallinari, impact guard Jaylen Brown is out Monday due to personal reasons. Though the Celtics have good news in that Derrick White is probable with his ankle injury. But those should impact Celtics vs Knicks picks.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends to Know
The Celtics are 33-27-1 against the spread and 31-29-1 on over/unders. They are 20-10 straight up on the road. Furthermore, they are 30-26-1 against the spread as favorites this season, including 6-2 against the spread when favored by 2.5 points or less. They are 15-14-1 against the spread on the road and 11-8 against the spread on the road against teams above .500.
New York Knicks Performance Recap and Analysis
New York is winners of five straight and seven of its last eight games. As a Tom Thibodeau coached team would strive to do, the Knicks are among the best defensive teams in the league.
New York Knicks stats show they are ninth in allowing 112.2 points per game but are even better in efficiency. The Knicks are third in holding opponents to 45.5% on field goal attempts and fourth at limiting them to 34.6% on 3-point shots.
Offensively, there have been some issues. The Knicks are 14th in scoring 114.8 points per game but are 24th in making 46.2% of field goal attempts, 23rd in making 34.7% of 3-point shots, and 22nd in making 77.2% of free throw attempts.
Jalen Brunson has given the Knicks a great lift with a point guard who can command the offense around forward Julius Randle – who is averaging 25.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game – and wing R.J. Barrett, who is scoring 19.7 points per game. Brunson is averaging 23.7 points and 6.2 assists per game while converting 40.7% of his 3-point attempts.
New York Knicks Key Injuries
There is nobody listed on the Knicks injury report.
New York Knicks Betting Trends to Know
The Knicks are 33-26-3 against the spread and 33-28-1 on over/unders this season while sporting a 17-15 record straight up at home. The Knicks are 18-13-1 against the spread as underdogs, 13-16-3 against the spread at home, and 10-6-1 against the spread at home against opponents with a record above .500.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Betting Picks
NBA picks today show 68% of public bettors believe the Celtics will win and cover the spread of two points, while another 69% of betters believe the over will hit. Here are our Celtics vs Knicks picks.
Moneyline
This is the third matchup of the season, and the Knicks needed overtime to win in Boston with the teams at full strength. With Brown out, we’ll take the home underdogs with the Knicks at +115.
Spread
Naturally, we will take the Knicks +2 if we are also taking them moneyline. They will need a big game from Randle to make it happen.
Over/Under Total
We will take the under 223.5 points. That is fairly high for this series, and if the Knicks are going to win, their defense has to be excellent. Plus, Brown, being out, takes a 26.5 points per game scorer out of the equation.
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Score Predictions
This is going to be a great game that is, unfortunately, only available via local broadcasts or streaming. It could be an instant classic with how these teams have fared over time.
The juice is always flowing when the two Atlantic Division rivals get together, and really any time a Boston sports team plays a New York sports team.
- NBA Pick: Knicks 106, Celtics 101
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