The New York Knicks (4-14) and the Boston Celtics (9-8) square off at TD Garden. The Knicks are 14-point underdogs and will try to put an end to their six-game losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216.5 points and action starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics ATS Odds
Both teams lost as favorites in their last matchup. The Knicks (5-point favorites) were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers, 118-114, while the Celtics (3.5-point favorites) fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 117-112. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The New York game finished 13 points over the projected point total of 219, while the Boston game finished 11.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5.
New York did a fantastic job of making free throws (17-22; 77.3 percent) while Boston had a better turnover percentage (11.0 vs. 11.6). Boston’s Kyrie Irving played well, contributing 27 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. New York, meanwhile, was led by Tim Hardaway Jr. who recorded 32 points and five rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to a 103-101 win. He registered a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 204 points, which was under the projected point total of 210.5, and Boston was unable to cover as a 9.5-point favorite. Boston was successful at getting and making free throws. The Celtics made 28 of their 33 free throws (84.8 percent), while the Knicks were just 17-27 (63.0 percent).
Just over half of the Knicks’ games have finished over the total. New York heads into the contest with records of 4-14 straight up (SU) and 8-8-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to New York, a little over half of Celtics games have finished under the projected point total. Further, Boston is 9-8 SU and 6-11 ATS.
Irving has taken his game to another level as of late for Boston, averaging 28 points,6.2 assists,3.0 steals over the last five games.
Boston could dominate on defense as they battle against one of the NBA’s worst offenses. The Celtics rank second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.494), while New York is 29th in effective field goal percentage (0.492). Also, the Knicks rank fifth in offensive rebounding percentage (26.4 percent), while the Celtics rank fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.3 percent).
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Knicks rank 14 in rebounds per game (45) while the Celtics rank 24 in rebounds allowed per game (47.23529411764706).
- New York ranks third in second chance points per game (16.3) while Boston ranks 27th (10.8).
- The Celtics rank sixth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.4) while the Knicks rank 26th (51.8).
- Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (36.1) while New York ranks 22nd (28.9).
- Boston ranks 10 in fast break points per game (14.764705882352942) while New York ranks 25 (10.777777777777779).
- The Celtics rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.4) while the Knicks rank 24th (6.3).
- The Celtics rank 3 in assists allowed per game (21.529411764705884) while the Knicks rank 22 (24.61111111111111).
- Boston ranks 5 in steals allowed per game (6.882352941176471) while New York ranks 14 (7.444444444444445).
- Boston ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.7) while New York ranks 22nd (18.4).
- When allowing below 100 points, Boston is 4-2 and New York is 1-0.
- The Celtics are 9-5 when they score above 100 points, while the Knicks are 4-11.
- New York is 5-5 ATS on the road, while Boston is 4-3 ATS at home.
- Of the Knicks’ 10 road games, they have 6 overs and 4 unders.
- The Celtics have 4 unders and 3 overs in 7 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Knicks are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 unders and 2 overs, while New York has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 105.2 points per game (0.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
- The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.8, up from 6.7 for the season.
