The New York Knicks (37-19) travel to face off against the Boston Celtics (40-16) on Sunday, February 23rd. This game will be played at TD Garden in Boston and televised on ABC. 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 1:00 ET.

Knicks vs Celtics

The Knicks Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Knicks dropped to 37-19 on the season after a 142-105 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday. New York, who entered the game as +7 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 247 points narrowly exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 242.5.

Cleveland took control early, leading 41-29 after the 1st quarter and extending their lead with a 10-0 run. The Knicks struggled to keep up, scoring just 21 points in the 2nd quarter, and faced a 110-79 deficit heading into the 4th quarter.

The Celtics Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Boston improved to 40-16 with a 124-104 road win over the 76ers on Thursday. The Celtics, favored by 6.5 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 228 points narrowly exceeded the O/U line of 225.5.

Boston took control early, winning both the 1st and 2nd quarters 36-28. They pulled away in the 3rd, outscoring Philadelphia 28-18, and entered the 4th with a 100-74 lead. The 76ers won the final quarter 30-24, but the Celtics’ lead was too large to overcome.

Knicks Offense Breakdown

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points and 4 assists, shooting 58.8% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 50% in their loss to the Cavaliers. Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points, 7 rebounds, and shot 66.7%, while Mikal Bridges contributed 14 points and 5 assists, making 2 threes at 40%.

Brunson scored 16 points in the 1st quarter and added 10 more in the 3rd. Towns had 14 of his points in the 2nd quarter, and Bridges also scored 10 in the 3rd. The Knicks made 10 threes, shooting 35.7% from deep and 47.2% overall.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

In their win over the 76ers, the Celtics hit 24 threes at a 44.4% clip, with Payton Pritchard leading the way, knocking down 8 threes and finishing with 28 points. Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points, while Kristaps Porzingis added 17.

Boston shot 48.3% from the field, with Pritchard scoring 9 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. Derrick White also added 7 of his 16 points in the final period.

Knicks Team Defense

The Knicks struggled defensively on Friday, giving up 142 points to the Cavaliers. They allowed 41 points in the 1st quarter and 36 in the 2nd, with Cleveland shooting 60% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers hit 19 threes at a 51% clip. The Knicks sent Cleveland to the line 15 times, where they made 11 free throws. Defensively, New York recorded 8 steals and 3 blocks.

Celtics Team Defense

The Knicks struggled defensively against the Cavaliers on Friday, giving up 142 points in a tough loss. New York allowed 41 points in the 1st quarter and 36 in the 2nd, with Cleveland scoring at least 32 points in every quarter.

Cleveland shot 60% from the field, including 51% from three, where they hit 19 threes. The Knicks sent the Cavaliers to the line 15 times, where they made 11 free throws. New York recorded 8 steals and 3 blocks.

Knicks vs Celtics Trends

• Across their last five road contests, New York has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 4-1, while averaging 115 points per game.
• Across their last five home contests, Boston has been good against the spread posting a mark of 4-1. Their overall mark in these games was 5-0, while averaging 117 points per game.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Knicks have gone 1-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Celtics have an ATS record of 4-1 and a straight up mark of 4-1.

Knicks vs Celtics Prediction

For a point-spread bet in this Knicks vs. Celtics matchup, we’re leaning towards the Knicks at +8.5. Although our projections show the Celtics winning 136-130, we suggest placing your bet on the Knicks for the point-spread.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 231.5, and our model predicts the Knicks and Celtics to score a combined 266 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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

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* 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.