Game: New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Knicks +8.5, Celtics -8.5
Total: 224.5
After losing two straight, the Boston Celtics (35-14 SU, 25-23-1 ATS) look to get back on the winning track as they play host to the New York Knicks (26-23, 25-22-2) tonight at TD Garden. Boston opened as a 6.5-point favorite and now finds itself an 8.5-point chalk. It’s easy to see why.
Boston has won 12 of the last 17 games against the Knicks and the Celtics won nine straight games before losing their last two. Boston has also won seven straight at home, which adds even more fuel to the Celtics’ fire. Boston lost on Tuesday night to Miami as they played without Jaylen Brown (thigh) and Marcus Smart (ankle). Brown, who is shooting 35.9 percent from three-point range in January, is not on the injury report and will play tonight. Smart is expected to be out for at least another week.
In Brown’s absence, Derrick White stepped up with 23 points for Boston in its 98-95 loss to Miami on Tuesday. Jayson Tatum had a game-high 31 points. The loss to the Heat not only marked the Celtics’ second loss in a row, but also the second game in a row that Boston failed to reach 100 points. The Celtics are the second-leading scoring team in the NBA averaging 118.1 points per game.
On Tuesday, the Knicks ended a four-game losing streak by narrowly defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-103. For the Knicks, Julius Randle had a great night with a double-double of 36 points and 13 rebounds, while four other players scored in double figures.
Prior to their four-game losing skid, New York had been on a roll, winning seven of its previous eight games. The Knicks’ defense struggled during its recent slump, allowing 125.8 points per game in those four losses. In the month of January, New York’s Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.3 points per game, Julius Randle 26.3, and RJ Barrett 22.4. Those three players account for more than two-thirds of the Knicks’ scoring in January.
Tatum will be a key for Boston. He has been outstanding as of late averaging 35 points a game over his last five and 31.1 for the month of January. He has scored at least 30 points in seven of his last nine games. The one thing that he’ll have working against him is the Knicks’ defense. New York ranks in the top-10 in points allowed per game (112.3) and the top-5 in opponent field goal percentage (45.2) and opponent three-point field goal percentage (34.5).
Tonight’s total opened at 226 but is now down to 224.5. In the last five meetings between the two teams, the Over is 4-1. The Under is 6-1 in Boston’s last seven games, but the Celtics’ home O/U record is 15-8.
The Knicks are 1-4 SU and 1-4 ATS in their last five games. In addition to losing 12 of the last 17 against Boston, New York is 2-4 ATS in the last six against the Celtics. The Knicks are, however, 11-3 ATS in their last 14 road games.
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