NBA Picks: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony has led the team in scoring in all 21 games this season, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks on Friday as he prepares to take on the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden.

Sports bettors will find that the Knicks are four-point road underdogs in the pro basketball odds, with the betting total sitting at 190.5 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this Eastern Conference matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction along the way.

Gambling stats via SBR Forum.   

New York Knicks

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The New York Knicks are 3-2 straight up and against the spread in their last five games. They are coming off Wednesday's 83-78 victory over the Chicago Bulls as 3.5-point home favorites.

NBA handicappers will find that the Knicks have dropped 10 of their 11 games as an underdog in straight-up fashion during the 2013-14 campaign.   

Boston Celtics

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics have dropped back-to-back games, including a 96-88 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers as five-point home underdogs on Wednesday.

Sports bettors will find that the Celtics have compiled a 4-3 straight-up and against-the-spread record as favorites this season. 

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers play the total, as the UNDER is 6-2 in the New York Knicks' last eight road games.

NBA Pick: Under 190.5

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