NBA Basketball Matchup: Celtics vs Knicks
Boston just finished a back-to-back-to-back scheduling spot Sunday. The Knicks had a difficult fourth quarter Sunday afternoon and they dropped a tough home game to the Miami Heat.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
8:00 PM EST on TNT
NBA Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NBA Betting Favorite: Off
Over/Under: Off
New York is still fighting to ensure their playoff berth, while the Celtics are trying to keep their recent positive momentum going.
These teams have met three times this year and the games have been decided by a total of eight points.
Boston has been without Ray Allen for the last five games.
He is listed as questionable for this one. Paul Pierce has a toe injury, but he is expected to play in this game. Rajon Rondo is playing as well as anyone point guard in the league right now. Rondo has at least ten assists in 22 straight games!
Kevin Garnett has picked up his game quite a bit over the last month. Avery Bradley is averaging about 18 points per game in the last three games, and he has become a major contributor on both ends of the floor for Boston. The Celtics lead the NBA in field goal percentage defense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Carmelo Anthony scorched the nets for 42 points in the Knicks loss to Miami on Sunday, but the rest of the team combined for just 43 points. In fact, J.R. Smith was the only other New York player in double figures.
Under Mike Woodson the Knicks have played much better defense, and they run better half court sets. This is no longer a team that simply tries to run the floor and score in transition.
Amar’e Stoudemire isn’t likely to return until later this week, and Jeremy Lin is out for at least a few more weeks. If the Knicks are going to get into the playoffs and do some damage they’ll need to keep up their defensive intensity.
The Knicks are 18-4 ATS in their last 22 home games. The Celtics 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 road games. Something has to give in this key Eastern Conference matchup.
Look for the Knicks to bounce back against a tired Celtics team.
Prediction: Knicks 94 Celtics 89
