New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Boston Celtics (36-15) will look to put together consecutive wins for the first time since January 11 on Wednesday when they host the New York Knicks (23-28) as big home favorites. The Celtics have dropped five of their last seven games, going 2-2 on a recently completed four-game road trip.
Point spread: The Celtics opened as 8.5-point favorites; the total is at 208, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 114.6-101.5, Celtics (NBA picks on every game)
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Why the Knicks can cover the spread
The Knicks have won their last two games, both by double digits, and gone 2-0 against the spread after a three-game losing streak. They also just got back from a four-game West Coast road trip that saw them go 1-3 straight up and 2-2 ATS, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
New York has split two meetings with Boston this season, winning the last one 102-93 at home as a 2.5-point underdog on December 21. In that game, Michael Beasley scored 32 points off the bench, and the Knicks overcame a terrible performance from Kristaps Porzingis (one point, 0-of-11 shooting).
Why the Celtics can cover the spread
The Celtics will be happy to be back home and ready to finish the last couple of weeks before the All-Star break strong. Despite some struggles lately, Boston still owns the best record in the Eastern Conference and has eight winnable games prior to the break.
This is certainly one of the easier matchups for the Celtics, who have won 10 of the past 13 meetings SU in this series with their Atlantic Division rivals to go along with an 8-5 ATS mark. Plus, with a healthy Kyrie Irving, Boston looks like the top team in the East.
Smart betting pick
New York has been playing much better recently outside of a tough three-game stretch during its road trip where the team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets, all by double digits.
The Celtics lost to two of those three teams as well, although the results were much closer. Regardless, the big question bettors have to answer is, can the Knicks stay within double digits to cover the spread? The answer is yes, so bet on New York to keep this one close.
NBA betting trends
New York is 4-2 ATS in its last six games.
Boston is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home.
The total has gone under in four of Boston's last five games at home.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
