Atlantic Division foes will collide when the New York Knicks (16-14) meet the Boston Celtics (26-8) at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017, and it can be seen on TNT.
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks Free Preview
In the Celtics last contest, they lost a tough one against the Miami Heat, 90-89. Kyrie Irving put together a solid performance for Boston, leading both teams in scoring with 33 points on 11-for-24 shooting. Miami held the Celtics to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.1 (below their season average of 21.3). Boston, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (10.1 vs. 12.2).
The Knicks are hoping for a better outcome after their 109-91 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in their last game. Michael Beasley led New York in scoring with 23 points on 9-for-20 shooting. Charlotte had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.8 (above their season average of 22.4). New York, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (16-20; 80.0 percent).
New York might have a tough time scoring as they go head-to-head against one of the leagues best defenses. Boston currently ranks first in defensive efficiency, while the Knicks rank 12th in offensive efficiency.
Of Boston’s 33 games that accepted bets, 17 have finished over the projected point total, while 15 of New York’s 30 games have finished under the projected point total. The Celtics have the sizable advantage straight up (SU) (26-8 vs. 16-14) and a slight edge against the spread (ATS) (21-10-2 vs. 17-13).
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 199 points in that game, which was under the projected point total of 208. The Celtics won 110-89, covering as 7-point favorites. The Celtics played a nearly perfect game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.293 and a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.587. For those same stats, the Knicks recorded marks of 0.188 and 0.429, respectively. In the loss, Enes Kanter recorded a double-double with 16 points and 19 rebounds.
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank seventh in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Knicks rank 25th (8.4).
- New York ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (40.3) while Boston ranks 14th (43.0).
- New York ranks fourth in second chance points per game (14.5) while Boston ranks 22nd (11.1).
- Boston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (20.3) while New York ranks 16th (22.7).
- On the road, Boston is 12-5 ATS with 9 unders and 8 overs.
- New York is 14-5 ATS at home with 10 overs and 9 unders.
- New York is 7-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Boston is 18-1.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Celtics are 19-3 and the Knicks are 15-6.
- The Celtics rank third in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while the Knicks rank 20th (5.1).
- Boston ranks sixth in three pointers allowed per game (26.6) while New York ranks last (32.4).
- The Celtics rank seventh in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while the Knicks rank 28th (19.9).
- The Celtics rank 17th in fast break points per game (10.1) while the Knicks rank 29th (6.1).
- New York ranks 10th in points in the paint per game (46.1) while Boston ranks 29th (39.1).
Bettings Trends:
- New York is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Boston is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Knicks average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.4, up from 0.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 104.4 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
