Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Point Spread Picks

The Celtics have a three-game lead over the Knicks for the No. 2 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Each team has two games left in the regular season following this matchup. So even if Boston were to lose to New York, something the Celtics have done in six of the past nine meetings, it would still earn the second-seed playoff spot with a victory against either the Pelicans or the Magic. Those are the two teams the Celtics close against. This makes it very likely that Boston is going to rest four of its banged-up starters - Jaylen Brown (Achilles tendinitis), Sam Hauser (low back spasm), Neemias Queta (toe sprain), and Derrick White (knee contusion) here. All four players are listed as questionable. The Knicks are 28-9 at home this season. This is a must-win spot for New York. It is not for Boston, which is playing for the seventh time in 12 days. Take the Knicks on the moneyline.

New York is on an 8-1 SU/ATS run, including a 119-92 blowout win at Toronto as an underdog. The offense is 10th in the NBA in scoring and third from 3-point land (37.8%), while the defense is seventh in points given up and in shooting allowed. Boston is 2-3 ATS in its last five at home, coming off a 98-96 win at home over rival Miami as a 5.5-point favorite. It was an emotional game, coming back from a 22-point deficit, their biggest comeback of the season. The offense is 17th in scoring. Play New York. 

The Boston Celtics have started the season at 11-9. There is no Tatum, Horford, Porzingas, or Holiday on this team. The Knicks are off to a strong 11-6 start, winning and covering in their last four games. They have committed to the defensive end of the floor, and it shows. The Knicks have allowed just 101 ppg over the previous four, and no team has scored more than 109 points against them during that period. The Knicks have won five of the last seven meetings, including a 105-95 win earlier in the season. They're rolling, and I like them to notch another win tonight. Take the Knicks on the moneyline.

While this certainly looks like a rebuilding year for the Celtics, being without Jayson Tatum for the season, Boston has had this game circled. It was the Knicks who ended the Celtics' season, stunning Boston in the second round of the playoffs. So this is the Celtics' early-season revenge game of the year. The Celtics still have a strong backcourt with All-Star Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. Payton Pritchard is an emerging player, too. The Knicks may not be as motivated as Boston following the successful debut of their new head coach, Mike Brown, in an impressive 119-111 home victory against the Cavaliers this past Wednesday. New York played without center Mitchell Robinson (knee) and forward Josh Hart (back) against the Cavaliers in its season opener. Robinson has already been ruled out for this game. Hart and star big man Karl-Anthony Towns (right quad strain) are questionable for this game. The Celtics are off a frustrating, 117-116, home loss to the 76ers two days ago. Twelve points outscored Boston in the fourth quarter of that game. They are a live underdog here. Take the Celtics. 

Boston hit 22 3-pointers as the rest of the team stepped up its game without Jayson Tatum, and the Celtics beat the Knicks 127-102 to narrow New York's lead to 3-2 in the series. Duplicating that performance will be another matter as the series shifts back to New York with the Knicks' confidence still high following a letdown in Game 5. The Knicks have covered four straight after a loss and are on a 6-3 ATS run. Boston shot 52 percent and New York 36 percent on Wednesday, two statistics that likely will even out in Game 6. The loss of Tatum will begin to show in this matchup, and New York only has to cover a small number to get the money. Take the Knicks.