Celtics vs Knicks

Jayson Tatum and the surging Celtics, winners of five straight, enter Madison Square Garden as dominant contenders in the East as the regular season nears its final stretch. The Knicks, riding their own impressive four-game win streak, will be without standout forward Julius Randle, who was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this season. This absence is significant, especially against a Celtics squad boasting two-way dominance from Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, who have historically disrupted Jalen Brunson’s rhythm in head-to-head matchups. With playoff seeding implications intensified—Boston eyeing the No. 1 seed and New York battling to secure home-court advantage in the first round—expect a hard-fought battle. Still, the Celtics’ full-strength rotation and proven late-season poise, especially in road games like this one, tip the scales just enough. At -115, the betting value is modest, but Boston’s consistency gives this pick a solid B+ grade. Odds and availability are subject to change.

The Knicks aim to extend their current three-game win streak to four but face a formidable challenge against the league-leading Boston Celtics. The Celtics enter Madison Square Garden with a 57-20 record and boast the NBA’s stingiest defense, especially on the road. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown fully healthy and Boston in playoff lock mode, their seven-game win streak speaks volumes. For the Knicks, OG Anunoby remains questionable with an elbow issue, and without him, New York's spacing and perimeter defense could be compromised, further limiting their transition scoring opportunities. Though both teams have offensive firepower, recent head-to-head trends skew low in total points, especially in grind-it-out environments late in the season. Additionally, postseason positioning is nearly locked, likely resulting in playoff-style defensive intensity from tip-off. Combine all of this with two of the top six defenses by rating, and the Under is well within reach. Odds and availability are subject to change.

Coming off three straight wins, the Knicks carry that late-season energy into a critical Eastern Conference clash with the first-place Celtics. While Boston’s record glitters, the Shamrocks have dropped two of their last three games—narrow losses that have exposed some wear and tear as the postseason nears. Jayson Tatum remains elite, but with Kristaps Porziņģis questionable due to lingering foot soreness, the Celtics' depth in the frontcourt suddenly looks vulnerable against an energized Karl-Anthony Towns and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Garden will be buzzing with playoff vibes, as New York fights to secure home court in the first round, and the combination of Jalen Brunson’s clutch performances and Donte DiVincenzo’s continued sharpshooting (averaging 18.4 PPG over the last 10) gives the home squad a clear edge in momentum. Although the spread sits at a narrow one point, New York’s healthy core and recent chemistry make a straight-up win more likely than not, especially with Boston possibly easing minutes for starters ahead of the postseason. Odds and availability are subject to change.