Knicks vs Celtics

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks come into Boston on a four-game winning streak, while Jaylen Brown’s Celtics have only just stopped the bleeding with a single win, and that contrast in form looms large with Jayson Tatum still shelved and OG Anunoby out, leaving New York otherwise able to lean on its full Brunson–Karl-Anthony Towns–Mitchell Robinson spine that just pounded Toronto on the glass. Brunson’s 26.2 points and 7.2 assists per game against Boston in last spring’s East semifinals, combined with the Knicks’ +7.5 scoring margin and top-tier rebounding versus a Celtics group that has been grinding out offense without its All-NBA centerpiece, tilt this essentially even matchup slightly toward the road side despite Boston’s solid 6–4 home mark. With both teams sitting at -110, I’m backing the New York Knicks on the moneyline at an A- grade, reflecting a meaningful but not overwhelming edge given the volatile nature of a near coin-flip in a tough building; Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 02/12/2025 09:41am

Karl-Anthony Towns and New York’s four-game surge has featured some huge quarters, but the Knicks have also been winning with physical rebounding and defense, while Boston’s one-game streak has come more from half-court execution than tempo, which together points away from a full-on track meet. With Tatum still out and Anunoby sidelined, two major shot creators are missing, leaving Brunson and Brown to shoulder heavy usage in what projects as a more methodical, whistle-heavy game, and when you stack the numbers — New York scoring 120.4 and allowing 112.9 points per night, Boston at 114.9 for and 110.9 against — you land closer to a high-220s expectation than comfortably over 230.5, especially given how these teams just played a slower, physical playoff series. I’m leaning to Under 230.5 at -110 with a B grade, respecting the offensive talent but trusting the injuries, rebounding battle, and recent defensive trends to drag this total down more often than not; Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 02/12/2025 09:41am

Jaylen Brown’s Celtics are back in the win column after Payton Pritchard’s 42-point eruption against Cleveland, but they’re still just 11–9 and navigating life without Tatum, whereas the 13–6 Knicks arrive on a four-game roll with Brunson, Towns and Robinson all in rhythm and repeatedly winning the possession battle. Even with OG Anunoby out, New York’s size and depth have recently overwhelmed opponents on the glass, and Towns in particular has already shown he can punish this front line, dropping 20–20 type lines in last year’s series, while Brown’s own strong playoff numbers versus the Knicks (over 21-6-5 per game) haven’t been enough to flip that matchup when Boston is shorthanded. Given New York is laying only -1 at -105 in a spot where their recent dominance on the boards, superior form, and clearer offensive hierarchy give them multiple paths to a multi-possession win, I’ll lay the short number with the Knicks at an A- grade, acknowledging TD Garden variance but liking the price-to-edge combo; Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 02/12/2025 09:41am