Free NBA Pick: Knicks vs. Celtics NBA Odds
Looking for New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Knicks taking on the Celtics on Saturday, December 18th, 2021 at TD Garden. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Knicks Celtics matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(13-16) New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics (14-15)
Date: Saturday, December 18th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NBA Moneyline Odds: Knicks +150 | Celtics -182 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Celtics -4.5
NBA Betting Total: 210.5
Saturday, December 18th, finds the New York Knicks facing the Boston Celtics for the second time this season. The Knicks won the initial match on October 20th in overtime 138-134 in what became known as the “Bing Bong” game.
The teams will play twice more in a home and home series on January 6th (New York) and 8th (Boston).
Boston is playing a back-to-back set having lost 107-111 to the Warriors on Friday while the Knicks last played Thursday defeating the Rockets 116-103.
The Celtics hold the all-time record between the clubs with 297 wins in 482 meetings versus the Knicks. Last season, the teams played on three occasions with the Knick taking two out of three contests.
New York Knicks
Immanuel Quickley had a good news, bad news night as he led the Knicks scoring 24 points off the bench including seven 3-pointers but then learned he would need to go into quarantine.
Evan Fournier scored 23 points while Julius Randle offered 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a steal. Mitchell Robinson also had a big night with 17 points and nine rebounds plus three blocks.
Even more impressive was rookie Miles McBride who replaced Derrick Rose when he left the match. McBride scored 15 points, dished nine assists, grabbed three rebounds, and a whopping four steals.
The Knicks are yet another team hit by COVID with five players currently out in quarantine recognizing the NBA health and safety protocols. That quintet includes RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes.
All except Quickley are questionable for Saturday. Derrick Rose (ankle) is also questionable for Saturday.
Boston Celtics
It was a tale of two halves for the Celtics on Friday after they gave up back-to-back 34 point quarters to the Warriors who led by 14 points at the break. But Ime Udoka got his charges to come out from the halftime break and play with defensive intensity.
Boston held Golden State to 14 points in the third frame (typically the Dubs’ best quarter) while they scored 27 points. But as champions typically do Stephen Curry and Draymond Green led their squad to close out the game and steal the victory.
Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 27 points plus eight rebounds and six assists. Jaylen Brown offered 20 points with nine rebounds. Marcus Smart was key in the comeback with 19 points, six rebounds, eight assists, a steal, and drew Curry’s sixth personal foul to end his night.
Josh Richardson (15) and Aaron Nesmith (11) were the other double-figure contributors.
Like the Knicks, the Celtics have five players in quarantine including Al Horford, Jabari Parker, Juan Hernangomez, Grant Williams, and Sam Hauser. All are questionable to play Saturday as is Dennis Schroder who is out with a non-COVID-related illness.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The teams are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Knicks are 5-4-1 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 4-6 in the team’s last 10 head-to-head meetings.
- The Celtics are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
- The Knicks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Tare 7-2 SU in their last 9 games at home.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York’s last 9 games.
Free New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics NBA Prediction:
New York ended a four-game losing streak but have won only twice in their last nine matches. Despite New York having the rest advantage, the Celtics have both Tatum and Brown healthy finally.
This is the seventh back-to-back set for Boston who are 4-2 in the second game.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Celtics -4.5
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