The Boston Celtics (0-1) and New York Knicks (1-0) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Knicks are 3.5-point favorites over the Celtics on the spread (Knicks -5.5), with the over/under set at 229.5 total points. The Knicks are -170 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Celtics are +140 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Celtics vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, October 24.
My Celtics vs Knicks Prediction
- Celtics vs Knicks pick: Jalen Brunson 20+ Points + Derrick White 20+ Points (+106)
My Celtics vs Knicks best bet is a parlay combining Jalen Brunson and Derrick White to score 20+ points apiece, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Celtics vs Knicks Odds
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 229.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 229.5 -110o / -110u | -170 |
Celtics vs Knicks NBA Preview
It was a tale of two different first games between these Eastern Conference Finals foes on Wednesday.
The Celtics only lost to the 76ers by one point, but there were unfavorable signs that could carry over into the season.
- One: The backcourt defense got torn up by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, who combined for 74 points.
- Two: The Celtics' much-advertised three-point party went just 11-for-43 shooting from three.
- Three: The 76ers won despite Joel Embiid looking washed, shooting 1-for-9 from the field and 0-for-4 from three.
For the Knicks, it was a breath of fresh air underscored by a murky set of questions.
The team played an 11-man rotation under Mike Brown in his regular-season Knicks debut.
Second-year player Tyler Kolek played as much as former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson.
No one played 40 minutes.
We saw two Trey Jemison shifts — he's on a two-way deal. And this is all without Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart.
They played a short-handed Cavs team, but there were more positives than negatives and they are favored to go 2-0 on Friday.
On the injury front, Jayson Tatum and Luka Garza are out for Boston, the Knicks won't have Robinson again, while Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns are questionable, with OG Anunoby probable.
Celtics vs Knicks Prediction, Betting Analysis
In this game, I like Derrick White and Jalen Brunson to score 20 points each.
White and Brunson both had inefficient season debuts but each had more than enough volume to make for encouraging scoring totals as it relates to this prop.
White had 25 against the 76ers and shot just 7-of-20, 4-for-13 from three.
In terms of sheer volume, he's going to sniff these numbers at career high marks with Tatum sidelined, plus both Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday gone.
His seven free-throw attempts — of which he made all — might not stick, but we expect more efficiency from the field to make up for it.
For Brunson, he shot just 5-for-18, but also made this up at the foul line, making 12-of-13. He also drilled in just 1-of-9 from three, which won't be a constant.
Both guys should shoot better from the floor and not need to make it up with free throws. And both will need to shoulder heavy offensive volume because of injuries.
Given that Towns has a grade two strain on his quad, Brunson might ride solo in terms of high end shot volume.
Pick: Jalen Brunson & Derrick White to Score 20+ Pointd (+106)
Spread
Although the Knicks are the favorites tonight, I don't see real value on the spread.
Moneyline
The same here, I'm not betting on either side of the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm also staying away from game totals tonight.
Knicks vs Celtics Betting Trends
