Boston Celtics (36-16) vs. NY Knicks (34-17)
February 8, 2025 8:30 pm EDT
The Line: NY Knicks +2.5; Over/Under: 229.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Celtics travel to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks on Saturday night. Here’s a Knicks vs Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Knicks vs Celtics Pick.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics have been in great shape as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their four-game win streak halted by the Mavericks in a 127-120 loss on Thursday. Jaylen Brown led the team with 25 points on nine of 16 shooting, Payton Pritchard added 21 points and six assists off the bench while Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis scored 17 points each. As a team, the Celtics shot 51 percent from the field and 16 of 37 from the 3-point line as they didn’t come out with any intensity on defense and quickly found themselves in deep trouble after allowing 104 points in the first three quarters to trail by as many as 27 points. The Celtics rallied with 37 points in the fourth quarter but the margin was at double digits until the last 8.1 seconds of the game.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have been on a tear as they’ve won seven of their past eight games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after sneaking past the Raptors in a 121-115 road win on Tuesday. Jalen Brunson led the team with 28 points and five assists, Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points with 20 rebounds while Precious Achiuwa and Mikal Bridges scored 17 points each. As a team, the Knicks shot 50 percent from the field and eight of 25 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest with 38-17 second quarter to build a 23-point lead, which proved to be just enough to hold off the Raptors who cut the lead to just one points with 3:17 left on the clock. The Knicks will meet the Pacers after this game.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won each of their last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Celtics have lost each of their last three games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Celtics’ last four games.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Celtics have won each of their last 16 games following a home loss.
- The Knicks have lost each of their last seven games as home underdogs.
- The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last nine road games following a loss.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games as home underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Knicks’ last eight night games against the Celtics following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Celtics’ last seven road games following a home loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
Knicks vs Celtics Prediction
The Celtics will be shorthanded once again with Jrue Holiday ruled out again, while the Knicks have ruled out OG Anunoby again. The Celtics were on a strong run before they got stopped in their tracks by the Mavericks in their last game, while the Knicks have continued their great form with a sketchy win over the Raptors on Tuesday. These teams have already met once this season with the Celtics winning by 132-109 back on Nov 22, but the Knicks have improved plenty since that game and they are well rested as they haven’t played since Tuesday, so I will lean with the Knicks at home in a tight one.
