Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks betting tips and predictions for Thursday NBA game on TNT. The Celtics are looking to end a two game losing streak as they host their Eastern Conference rivals the Knicks. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Boston Celtics
It’s been an unusual two games by the Celtics as they dropped both of them while scoring just 95 and 98 points against Miami and Orlando. After spending most of the first two months of the season in the 1st place in offensive efficiency, they’ve now dropped to 3rd behind Denver and Sacramento as they start to cool off from a historically good start to their season.
The absence of Brown, Smart, Al Horford and Malcolm Brogdon surely had something to do with the poor play, three of those players are expected back in the line-up for tonight’s game. Boston has had the edge in home games against the Knicks winning 5 of the last 6 meetings, they are also on a 7-game win streak at TD Garden entering tonight’s game.
New York Knicks
The Knicks are one of the rare NBA teams who have a better record on the road than at home. At 14-10 SU and 16-8 ATS in away games they’ve been a force in those type of games, so despite losing the first meeting of the season vs Boston at MSG by 15 points many people are refusing to count them out tonight.
This team just ended a 4-game losing streak with a close home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Julius Randle carried the offense with 36 points, including 8 threes made to go along with his 13 rebounds. He was also the high point man with 29 points in the earlier game vs Boston this year, so the Knicks are expecting a lot from him here. One thing that could be problematic for the Knicks is the absence of center Mitchell Robinson, prior to the win vs Cleveland they allowed 125, 139, 116 and 123 points in their last 4 games.
Although New York has a lot of flaws, it’s hard to ignore their road record this season. They’ve covered the spread in 11 of their last 14 away games, and I can definitely see them keeping this game close with all the injuries the Celtics are dealing with. Take the road team and the extra points.
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Predictions & Odds
The 253 points scored in the first meeting between these teams was an anomaly, as only 212.2 points per game has been averaged over the last 10 games head-to-head. However, we have a relatively low projected total at 226.5 points tonight, so I’m thinking backing the over is the way to go here. That bet has landed in 4 of the 5 most recent meetings, plus the Celtics are 15-8 on the O/U in home games this season.
That bet has successfully landed in 5 straight Knicks games vs Atlantic Division teams as well and I’ve already mentioned the lack of paint protection for New York with their starting center being out of the line-up. Both teams rank in the top 10 in offensive efficiency, the Knicks are 9th, while Boston ranks 3rd. Expect them to go all out on offense here, let’s back the points.
