On the first day of mobile sports betting in New York, residents of the Empire State have the opportunity to wager on their famous NBA franchise. For the second time in three days, the New York Knicks will go head-to-head against the rival Boston Celtics tonight. Given that the two teams are separated by a single game in the Eastern Conference standings, this matchup looms large for both sides. The NBA betting odds currently list the hosts as fairly large favorites.
This NBA betting preview for the Knicks vs Celtics matchup will provide game info, betting trends, odds, injury report and a prediction for tonight’s game.
Knicks vs Celtics NBA Betting Preview and Prediction
NBA Regular Season Game
New York Knicks (19-20, 10-9 Away) vs. Boston Celtics (18-21, 11-8 Home)
Date: Saturday, January 8, 2021
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden — Boston, MA
Coverage: NBA TV
Knicks vs Celtics Injury Report
New York
Out: Kemba Walker (knee), Derrick Rose (knee)
Questionable: Nerlens Noel (conditioning)
Day-to-Day: Evan Fournier
Boston
Out: Payton Pritchard (virus protocols), Brodric Thomas (back)
New York Knicks Preview
A win on Christmas Day proved the key ingredient for the Knicks to get their season back on track. After a rough stretch that was partly due to several players being sidelined, New York has now won five of seven. Tom Thibodeau’s group carries an active two-game winning streak into Saturday night’s NBA betting matchup. This includes a three-point win over the Celtics at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
The Knicks rank just 21st in offensive efficiency on the season. It took a huge 41-point performance by Evan Fournier just for New York to score 108 points in Thursday’s win. Fournier and Julius Randle combined for 63 of those points, a nod to the Knicks’ lack of scoring depth. Star point guard Kemba Walker will remain sidelined on Saturday with a knee injury. While Walker is a major defensive liability, an attribute that landed him in Thibodeau’s doghouse earlier in the year, he has provided massive offensive contributions when on the floor.
Boston Celtics Preview
The Celtics squandered an impressive 36-point effort by Jayson Tatum and a seven-point lead after three quarters of play in Thursday night’s loss. It has been a tough week in Boston as Ime Udoka’s squad also dropped a two-point decision at home on Wednesday to a shorthanded San Antonio Spurs outfit. On the bright side, the Celtics will have a mostly full complement of players available as they aim to get back on track in tonight’s NBA betting contest.
Now that the Celtics are finally getting healthy, one has to believe their offensive efficiency rating will improve in the second half of the season. Defense has been Boston’s calling card thus far. The C’s enter Saturday’s matchup ranked eighth in this metric. After being hit hard by health and safety protocols last month, the starting lineup and primary depth pieces are all finally healthy again. Each of Dennis Schroder, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart joined Tatum in double-figures scoring on Thursday night.
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Knicks vs Celtics NBA Betting Odds
NBA betting odds for Heat vs Mavericks are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: NYK: (+200) | BOS: (-250)
Spread: NYK: +6.5 (-110) | BOS: -6.5 (-110)
Total: 207.5 – Over: (-110) I Under: (-110)
Public Spread Betting Percentages (via Action Network): NYK: (55%) | BOS: (45%)
Knicks vs Celtics NBA Betting Trends
- Knicks are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
- Five of the Knicks’ last seven games have gone under the total.
- Celtics are just 1-5 ATS in their last six games.
- Celtics are 11-5 straight up in their last 16 home games.
- Knicks are 4-2 ATS in their last six head-to-head matchups against the Celtics.
Knicks vs Celtics Prediction
This NBA prediction uses NumberFire’s probability model. They give Boston a 64.9% chance to win this NBA regular-season matchup.
