New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Betting Pick & Prediction 10/22/24

At 7:30 ET, the Celtics (-223) will host the Knicks (+184) in a divisional matchup at TD Garden. The over/under line for the game is currently sitting at 223.5 points.

Last year, the Celtics finished 1st in the Eastern Conference with a record of 64-18, while the Knicks were 2nd in the East at 50-32.

NEW YORK KNICKS VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PICK

The Pick: New York Knicks +5.5

This game will be played at TD Garden at 7:30 ET on Tuesday, October 22nd.

WHY BET THE NEW YORK KNICKS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 119-118 in favor of the Knicks.
• Our projections have Jalen Brunson finishing with Jalen Brunson points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists.
• From the field, we have the Knicks finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.8% and knocking down 15 threes.

Will New York Come Through as Road Underdogs?

Ranked 19th in our pre-season power rankings, the Knicks are projected to have a 64.6% chance of making the playoffs. Last season, New York finished 50-32, placing 2nd in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division. They were 27-14 at home and 23-18 on the road.

New York was 42-39 against the spread, with an average O/U line of 221.9 points per game. Their games averaged 221 points, and they had a 36-45-1 O/U record. As the favorite, they went 36-11, and they were favored in 47 games.

The Knicks finished last season ranked 19th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 112.8 points per game, which also placed them 19th in scoring. They were the slowest team in the league, ranking 30th in possessions per game, but they were 18th in field goal attempts per game. They shot 46.5% from the field, ranking 21st. New York was 10th in three-pointers made per game, shooting 36.9% from beyond the arc, and they were 14th in free throw attempts per game, making 78.0% of their free throws. The Knicks led the league in offensive rebounds per game.

Jalen Brunson, who averaged 28.7 points per game last season, is projected to be the Knicks’ leading scorer, ranking 4th in our league-wide projections. Mikal Bridges, acquired from the Nets, is projected to be 3rd on the team in scoring. He averaged 19.6 points per game last season. Karl-Anthony Towns is projected to be 2nd on the team in scoring, ranking 29th in our league-wide projections.

Last season, the Knicks were one of the best teams in the NBA in terms of points allowed, giving up just 108.2 per game, which ranked 3rd in the league. They enter this season 17th in our defensive power rankings. New York held opponents to 47.1% shooting from the field, ranking 14th in the NBA, and limited them to 36.2% from three-point range.

Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to be a key rebounder for the Knicks, who ranked 21st in defensive rebounding last season. Jalen Brunson also contributes on the boards, while New York averaged 4.1 blocks per game, ranking 29th in the league. They were 17th in steals, with 7.5 per game.

Will the Celtics Make it Happen at Home?

Boston enters the season ranked 2nd in our power rankings, with a 75.9% chance of winning the Atlantic Division. Last season, the Celtics finished 64-18, placing 1st in both the Eastern Conference and their division. They were dominant at home, going 37-4 with a +15.2 scoring margin, and had a 27-14 road record.

Against the spread, the Celtics were 41-37, and they went 62-16 as the favorite. Their games averaged 229.8 points, and their over/under record was 43-38-1. At home, they were 22-17 ATS, and they went 19-20 ATS on the road.

Boston enters this season as our top-ranked offense after finishing 2nd in points per game last season with 120.6. The Celtics were 20th in possessions per game (97.2) but made the most of their opportunities, ranking 7th in field goal percentage (48.7%). They led the league in three-pointers made per game (16.5) and were 2nd in three-point percentage (38.8%). Boston attempted 42.5 threes per game, the most in the NBA, and ranked 8th in field goal attempts per game (90.2). They were 26th in free throw attempts per game (20.2) but shot 80.7% from the line, ranking 7th.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead the Celtics’ offense. Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season and is projected to finish 6th in points per game this year. Brown, who averaged 23 points per game last season, is projected to be 20th in scoring. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are expected to be the 3rd and 4th leading scorers for Boston, while Kristaps Porzingis is projected to be 5th but will miss the start of the season.

Boston enters this season ranked 8th in our defensive power rankings after a strong showing last year, when they allowed just 109.2 points per game, the 6th-fewest in the NBA. They held opponents to 45.3% shooting, the second-lowest mark in the league, and limited three-point shooting to 34.9%. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are among the top rebounders at their positions, helping the Celtics lead the NBA in blocked shots and defensive rebounding.

Last season, Boston held opponents to 45.4% shooting, the third-lowest percentage in the league, and ranked 2nd in effective field-goal percentage allowed. They also limited two-point shooting to 52.0%, ranking 3rd in the NBA.