New York Knicks at Boston Celtics

By Sam Batz

The Boston Celtics will host the New York Knicks in Boston’s TD Garden on Thursday, Jan. 26th for an Atlantic Division showdown. The Knicks are coming off a 105-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Julius Randle went 8 for 12 from three and finished with 36 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Celtics on the other hand, return home after a three-game road trip where they went 1-2. Boston has lost their last two games, both to Eastern Conference opponents, and will look to right the ship against a Knicks squad that is nearly back to full strength and playing well. 

The Knicks are three games above .500 at 26-23, and are currently the 7th seed in the East. They have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and 7-5 in January. They started the month off red-hot, garnering a 6-1 record through the first 7 games. Then, New York hit a rough spot and lost 4 games in a row, before finally breaking out of the slump with their win over Cleveland on Tuesday, Jan. 24th. The Knicks now go on the road to face the best team in the East. 

The Celtics have the best record in the NBA at 35-14 and are the 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston is 8-2 in their last 10 games, but the two losses came one after the other in their most recent matchups. They lost to the Orlando Magic and then the Miami Heat, scoring fewer than 100 points in both games. Boston’s 95-98 loss to Miami was the fourth time this season the Celtics fell short of 100 points, resulting in a 0-4 record when failing to hit the century mark. However, regardless of their recent tribulations, the Celtics are a talented group and remain the team to beat in the East. 

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Stat Comparison 

New York Knicks (26-23) Points/Game: 114.1 (14th) Points Allowed/Game: 112.1 (9th) Field Goal Percentage: 45.7% (24th) Three-Point Percentage: 34.5% (24th) Offensive Rating: 114.9 (6th) Defensive Rating: 113.2 (14th)

Boston Celtics (35-14) Points/Game: 117.6 (2nd)* Points Allowed/Game: 112.0 (8th)* Field Goal Percentage: 47.4% (14th)* Three-Point Percentage: 37.1% (9th)* Offensive Rating: 116.7 (3rd)* Defensive Rating: 110.8 (5th)*

Knicks vs. Celtics Odds

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Knicks vs. Celtics Bettings Trends

New York Knicks 25-23-1 record ATS this season 16-8 record ATS on the road 15-15-1 record ATS against the East 9-5 record ATS against the East on the road 25-23-1 O/U record this season 5-4-1 O/U record in the last 10 games 10-14 record as the Underdogs 8-9 record as the Underdogs on the road 4-5 record as the Underdogs against the East on the road

Boston Celtics 25-23-1 record ATS this season 13-10 record ATS at home 16-14 record ATS against the East 7-7 record ATS against the East at home 22-26-1 O/U record this season 3-7 O/U record in the last 10 games 33-13 record as the Favorites 18-5 record as the Favorites at home 9-5 record as the Favorites against the East at home

 

Knicks vs. Celtics All-Time Series

The Celtics and the Knicks have one of the longest histories in the NBA. Starting in 1946, Boston and New York have played an astonishing 486 times during the regular season. Over their 77 year journey, the Celtics hold a large lead over the Knicks, with 300 total wins, while New York trails with 186 wins. The two sides played back in November, with Boston taking home the victory in a 133-118 blowout over New York in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks now travel to Boston for the next meeting in this storied rivalry, as they seek redemption after the 15-point loss earlier this season. 

 

Knicks vs. Celtics Game Changers

Boston Celtics:

• Marcus Smart (ankle) remains sidelined but hopes to return in 1-2 weeks
• Best Point Differential at +5.6
• Win-rate at home: 78.3% (18-5)
• Win-rate versus the East: 66.7% (20-10)

New York Knicks:

• Evan Fournier is Day-to-Day; Mitchell Robinson is Out after undergoing surgery to repair his thumb
• Third least Turnovers per game at 12.3
• Win-rate on the road: 58.3% (14-10)
• Win-rate versus the East: 54.8% (17-14)

 

Prediction

I like Boston in this one. They are the best team in the league for a reason and I don’t expect them to drop three games in a row, especially at home, where they are averaging 121.9 points per game. The Knicks are averaging 113.5 points per game on the road, and will struggle to keep up with the Celtics face-paced offense. Additionally, the Knicks have allowed an average of 121.2 points per game to their opponents in the last 5 matchups, and now face Boston, who have put up the second-most total points (5,764) this season.

New York has posted a respectable away record (14-10) but the Celtics have proven to be extremely difficult to beat in Boston, and will enter Thursday’s matchup ready to protect their home court. New York is an efficient offense that takes care of the ball, but Boston’s defense, who has given up just 110.2 points per game in their last five games, will overwhelm the Knicks scorers and ultimately win their second game of the season over New York. 

Prediction: Boston Celtics Moneyline and the Under. 

 

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