The Boston Celtics (61-21) travel to face off against the New York Knicks (51-31) on Friday, May 16th. This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York and televised on ESPN. The Celtics are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Knicks are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Knicks. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET.

Celtics vs Knicks

The Celtics Are Coming Off A Win

Boston improved to 61-21 with a dominant 127-102 win over the Knicks on Wednesday. The Celtics, who were favored by five points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 229 points went over the 208-point line.

After trailing 32-30 at the end of the 1st quarter, Boston took control with an 11-0 run, pushing the score from 71-68 to 82-68. They outscored New York 32-17 in the 3rd quarter and 36-26 in the 4th to seal the win.

The Knicks Are Coming Off A Win

The Knicks dropped to 51-31 on the season after a 127-102 road loss to the Celtics on Wednesday. New York entered the game as +5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 229, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 208.

After a close 1st quarter, the Celtics went on an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 71-68 to 82-68. Boston then outscored New York 32-17 in the 3rd quarter and 36-26 in the 4th.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

Derrick White’s 34-point performance, including 7 threes at 53.8%, led the Celtics to a 127-102 win over the Knicks. Jaylen Brown added 26 points and 12 assists, hitting 3 threes at 60%.

Boston hit 22 threes at 44.9% and shot 52.4% overall. Payton Pritchard made 5 threes, scoring 8 of his 17 points in the 4th quarter, while Jrue Holiday also added 8 points in the final period.

Knicks Offense Breakdown

In their 127-102 loss to the Celtics, the Knicks shot just 35.8% from the field, though they connected on 40% of their threes, making 12 from deep. Josh Hart led the way with 24 points, hitting 5 threes at a 55.6% rate, and added 7 rebounds.

Jalen Brunson contributed 22 points and 6 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 19 points and 8 boards. Hart scored 9 points in the 3rd quarter, while Towns added 9 in the 4th.

Celtics Team Defense

Despite a rough 1st quarter where they allowed 32 points, the Celtics tightened up defensively in the 3rd, giving up just 17 points to help secure a win over the Knicks. Boston held New York to 102 points on 35% shooting overall.

The Celtics limited the Knicks to 12 made threes, though New York shot 40% from deep. Boston also sent the Knicks to the line 40 times, where they made 32 free throws. The Celtics finished with 3 steals and 12 blocks.

Knicks Team Defense

Despite a slow start, the Celtics tightened up defensively in the 3rd quarter, allowing just 17 points to help secure a 127-102 win over the Knicks. Boston held New York to 35% shooting from the field.

The Celtics limited the Knicks to 12 made threes but gave up 40 free throws, with New York converting 32. Boston finished with 32 defensive rebounds, allowing 12 offensive boards, and added 12 blocks.

Celtics vs Knicks Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Celtics have a straight up record of 2-3 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 100 points per game in these contests.
• In their last ten games at home, the Knicks have a straight up record of 7-3 while going 7-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 107 points per game in this stretch.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Celtics have a straight up record of 6-4. Their record vs the spread in these games was 6-4.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Knicks have gone 7-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 7-3.

Celtics vs Knicks Prediction

We’re putting our money on the Knicks to win, and have the projected score sitting at 128-111. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Knicks at -2.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 210 and our model has the Celtics and Knicks finishing with a combined 239 points. Our pick is to take the over.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.