Boston Celtics (36-16 SU, 20-31 ATS) vs. New York Knicks (34-17 SU, 27-24 ATS)

When: Saturday, February 8th, 8:30 PM (ET)

Where: Madison Square Garden, NY, New York

TV: ABC

Point Spread: Bos -2.5/NY +2.5

Total: 232

Money Line: Boston Celtics -139/+117

Notable Injuries

Celtics

• Jrue Holiday (Out) Shoulder

Knicks

• Karl-Anthony Towns (Probable) Knee
• OG Anunoby (Doubtful) Foot
• Josh Hart (Probable) Knee
• Mitchell Robinson (Out) Ankle
• Pacome Dadiet (Out) Toe

The Boston Celtics (-139) head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks (+117) in a divisional matchup. The Celtics are favored by 2.5 points and have a record of 36-16, which is good for 2nd in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are 34-17 and have won two straight games. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 ET, and the game can be seen on ABC.

With a record of 36-16, the Celtics are 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are favored by 2.5 points and have a money line of -139. The Knicks are 34-17 and have won two straight games. They are 3rd in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Atlantic Division. The over/under line is set at 232 points.

Recent Form

Boston’s season record dropped to 36-16 after a 127-120 home loss to the Mavericks on Thursday. The Celtics were -12.5 point favorites but couldn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 247 exceeded the O/U line of 232 by 15 points.

Dallas went on an 11-0 run early, turning a 29-23 deficit into a 34-29 lead. They extended their lead to 104-83 by the end of the 3rd quarter. Boston outscored Dallas 37-23 in the 4th, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

The Knicks improved to 34-17 this season with a 121-115 win over the Raptors on Tuesday. New York, favored by 5.5 points, covered the spread with the win. The game’s total points of 236 exceeded the over/under line of 228.

A key 12-0 run helped the Knicks take control, as they turned a 59-51 deficit into a 63-59 lead. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring Toronto 38-17, and entered the 4th quarter up 98-86 before holding off a late Raptors rally.

The Historicals

In terms of betting, Boston has an ATS record of 4-1 in the previous 5 matchups vs New York. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +10 points per game in favor of the Celtics. In these contests, they averaged a combined 230 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points, hitting three threes at a 75% clip in their 127-120 loss to the Mavericks. Payton Pritchard added 21 points, 16 of which came in the 4th quarter, and Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum each contributed 17 points.

The Celtics shot 51.7% from the field and 43.2% from beyond the arc, making 16 threes. Brown scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Pritchard’s big 4th quarter helped him finish with six assists and six rebounds.

Defensively, the Celtics struggled against the Mavericks, giving up 127 points on 55% shooting. Boston allowed 32 points in the 1st quarter, 35 in the 2nd, and 37 in the 3rd before tightening up in the 4th, where they allowed just 23 points.

Boston allowed 15 threes on 45% shooting from beyond the arc. The Mavericks went to the line 18 times, hitting 14 free throws. The Celtics finished with 29 defensive rebounds, gave up eight offensive boards, and recorded two steals and six blocks.

The Knicks shot 50% from the field in their win over the Raptors, though they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just eight threes at a 32% clip. Jalen Brunson led the way with 28 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points and 20 rebounds.

Brunson scored 9 points in the 1st quarter and 7 in both the 3rd and 4th. Towns put up 11 points in the 2nd quarter, and Precious Achiuwa contributed 7 of his 17 points in the 3rd. Josh Hart also added 8 of his 15 points in the 3rd quarter.

Despite giving up 115 points on 52% shooting, the Knicks’ defense shined in the 2nd quarter, holding the Raptors to just 17 points. They struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, allowing 34 and 35 points, respectively.

New York limited Toronto’s three-point damage, giving up just 11 threes on 37% shooting. The Knicks also recorded 10 steals and four blocks in the game.

Betting Trends

• Although Boston has a straight-up record of 7-3 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 4-6. The team averaged 111 points per game in these games.
• Through their last ten home contests, the Knicks offense has averaged 118 points per game while allowing an average of 110. New York posted an overall record of 8-2 while going 6-4 ATS.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Knicks have a straight-up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
• Across their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Celtics have an overall record of 3-2 while going 1-4 against the spread.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

We have a good matchup tonight at Madison Square Garden, with the Celtics favored by -2.5. Both teams are missing some players who are especially important to their defensive success, as Jrue Holiday is out for the Knicks, and OG Anunoby is doubtful for the Celtics. Overall, I like the Knicks in this one, and I am taking them on the money line.