Knicks vs. Celtics Sunday Prediction
The Boston Celtics look to improve to 9-3 on the new season when they host the New York Knicks at 1:00 p.m. ET. That said, will the Celtics cover as a 7.5-point home favorite or is there a better bet on the board in this Eastern Conference matchup?
Game Snapshot
535 New York Knicks (+7.5) at 536 Boston Celtics (-7.5); o/u 212.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunrday, January 17, 2021
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: NBATV
New York Knicks DFS Spin
Julius Randle notched 28 points (11-of-20 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, six assists, two triples and one turnover in 38 minutes of Friday’s loss to Cleveland. The Knicks have lost five straight games, despite some monster efforts from Randle. He’s crushing it on the glass and as the No. 1 option on offense, but his growth as a playmaker has been fun to watch too — he’s 11th in the NBA in assists per game and ranks in the 98th percentile for assist percentage. Randle and the Knicks will get the Celtics on Sunday.
Boston Celtics DFS Spin
Jayson Tatum won’t play on Sunday against the Knicks as he recovers from COVID-19. It was announced that Tatum tested positive on January 10th, so this isn’t a huge surprise. It’s good news that Kemba Walker’s been upgraded to questionable to play on Sunday, as Boston is still expected to be short-handed.
Knicks vs. Celtics Betting Prediction
The Knicks are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five meetings with the Celtics and have not covered in five straight games overall. New York is also 0-4 against the spread in its last four games coming off a loss and 0-4 at the betting window in its last four games playing on only one day of rest.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are a perfect 4-0 against the spread in their last four games overall, are 5-1 against the number in their last six home games and are 4-0 at the betting window in their last four games as a home favorite.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: BOSTON CELTICS -7.5
