Knicks vs Celtics NBA Handicapping
It’s possible that we are seeing the final few games of Kevin Garnett’s career.
Garnett and the Celtics take on the Knicks tonight in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference playoff quarterfinals, and the blood and guts of Boston’s defense is hardly at 100 percent in the most important few games of the season.
Eastern Conference
New York Knicks (2-0) at Boston Celtics (0-2)
Friday, April 26
TD Garden, Boston
8 p.m. EST
Spread – Celtics -3 at Bookmaker
O/U – 182.5
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
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Garnett is reportedly suffering from a hip injury, though no one is really sure exactly sure when he was hurt. All Celtics fans know is that he has struggled through the first two games of the series, and his problems have led to near-identical Celtics losses.
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In Game 1 of the series Boston took a 7-point lead in the third period, but scored only 8 points in the final period and New York won going away. Garnett scored only 12 points and was a non-factor defensively.
Game 2 was second verse, same as the first. Garnett was held to 8 points as the Knicks again took control in the fourth period.
Garnett is not limping and Celtics coach Doc Rivers has pronounced him ready to go tonight, but you have to wonder if the veteran of 18 NBA season will have had enough if, as expected, the Celtics’ season is closed down sometime next week – perhaps as early as this Sunday afternoon. [ad-6571516]
The Celtics, meanwhile, are in the uncomfortable position of having to figure out a way to summon up the energy and find a way to win not only tonight but 4 of the next 5 against a team that is far more athletic. The Knicks have more pieces in place than Boston, and with Carmelo Anthony scoring more than 40 percent of their points, coach Mike Woodson just has to get one or two other players to be on their game offensively to get it done.
Somehow, some way the Knicks have also found a way to play some defense. Too many of the Celtics’ offensive weapons – including Paul Pierce – have been mediocre in the series so far, and the Celtics’ bench has been a major liability.
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this is the first home game for the Celtics since the Boston Marathon, which will certainly give Boston an emotional lift and may have affected the line (Celtics -3). If your book allows first-half play, Boston -1.5 looks like it might be a smart move.
Both games in the series have easily gone under, and each team has had cold spells (New York early, Boston late), but the O/U has been reduced a full three points (to 182.5).
Boston almost always scores more than 95-97 at home, even against good teams. Over is the play here.
