New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Betting Preview

Date: February 22, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Betting Odds (as of latest sportsbook data)

• Spread: Celtics -6.5
• Over/Under: 218.5 points
• Moneyline: Knicks +210 | Celtics -250

Game Preview & Key Storylines

The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics meet in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference battle at TD Garden. The Celtics have dominated their recent matchups, but the Knicks are looking to bounce back and prove they can hang with the East’s elite.

Knicks’ Recent Form & Challenges

New York has been a solid team this season, currently holding a top-six seed in the East. However, their inconsistency in big games has raised questions. Jalen Brunson continues to be the engine of this offense, averaging over 25 points per game, but he’ll need help from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett to keep up with the high-powered Celtics.

One of the biggest question marks for the Knicks is their defense. While they rank among the top teams in opponent field-goal percentage, containing Boston’s three-point shooting will be a challenge. The Knicks also come into this game following a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, where their perimeter defense was exposed.

Celtics’ Dominance & Home-Court Advantage

The Celtics have been dominant at TD Garden this season, boasting one of the best home records in the NBA. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, and their deep bench only adds to their strength.

In their last matchup with the Knicks, Boston secured a convincing win behind a stellar shooting night from beyond the arc. With Kristaps Porziņģis stretching the floor and Jrue Holiday providing lockdown defense, the Celtics have the weapons to control this game from start to finish.

One major storyline for the Celtics is their defensive presence. Boston ranks top five in defensive rating, making them a nightmare matchup for New York’s half-court offense. If they can shut down Brunson early, the Celtics should be in a strong position to cover the spread.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Jalen Brunson vs. Jrue Holiday – A battle of elite guards, with Brunson’s scoring ability clashing against Holiday’s tenacious perimeter defense.
• Jayson Tatum vs. OG Anunoby – Can Anunoby slow down Tatum, or will the Celtics’ star continue his dominance?
• Julius Randle vs. Kristaps Porziņģis – The physicality of Randle against the finesse of Porziņģis will be key in determining rebounding battles.

Betting Picks & Predictions

• Best Bet: Celtics -6.5 – Boston has been dominant at home, and their defense should stifle the Knicks’ offense.
• Over/Under: Under 218.5 – Both teams play tough defense, and if the game slows down, the under is a strong play.
• Player Prop to Watch: Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 Points – Tatum has been in top form and will look to take advantage of New York’s struggling perimeter defense.

With both teams eyeing playoff positioning, expect an intense and physical matchup. The Knicks will need to play near-perfect basketball to upset the Celtics on their home court.