Boston Celtics at NY Knicks Odds & Picks 1/6/22

When: Thursday January 06 2022, 07:30 PM (ET)

Where: Madison Square Garden: New York, New York

TV: TNT

Point Spread: BOS -1/NYK +1 (Opened at BOS -1 at MyBookie – Use bonus code PREDICT100 and they’ll give you a 100% real cash bonus up to $300!)

Total: 210.5 (Opened at 210.5)

Money Line: Boston -115/New York -105)

Power Rating: BOS -1

Probable Starting Lineups

Celtics: PG Marcus Smart, SG Jaylen Brown, SF Jayston Tatum, PF Robert Williams III, C Al Horford

Knicks: PG Immanuel Quickley, SG RJ Barrett, SF Evan Fournier, PF Julius Randle, C Nerlens Noel

Key Injuries

Celtics
Enes Freedom: illness (QUESTIONABLE) Aaron Nesmith: illness (OUT)

Knicks
Danuel House Jr.: finger (OUT) Nerlens Noel: illness (QUESTIONABLE) Jericho Sims: conditioning (QUESTIONABLE) Kemba Walker: knee (QUESTIONABLE)

Recent Form

The Boston Celtics enter today’s game, winning four of their past ten games. When playing away from home, the Celtics are winning at a below .500 rate, having gone 7-12. As the road team, Boston travels to New York with a positive plus-minus rating of 0.6 points. Overall, the Celtics are ranked 12nd among NBA teams in point differential (0.9). Among NBA teams, they have played the 7th toughest schedule.

For bettors, taking the Boston Celtics to cover the spread has been a 50/50 bet as they have an ATS record of 18-18-2. Their season-long plus-minus against the spread is -0.6.

On offense, the team’s leading scorer is SF Jayson Tatum. So far, Tatum is averaging 25.41 points per game while grabbing 8.62 rebounds, also the best on the team. The Celtics’ best three-point shooter has been Jaylen Brown, connecting on 2.83 shots from downtown per game.

The New York Knicks enter today’s game, having won 6 of their past ten games. When playing in New York, the Knicks have played at a below .500 rate, having gone 8-11

As they take on the Celtics at home, the Knicks have a negative home plus-minus of -2.3 points. Overall, New York is ranked 20th among NBA teams in point differential (1.7). This has come while playing the 5th easiest schedule.

For bettors, taking the New York Knicks to cover the spread has been a losing bet as they have covered in 44.70% of their games. Their season-long plus-minus against the spread is -2.5.

On offense, the team’s leading scorer is PF Julius Randle. So far, Randle is averaging 19.58 points per game while also leading the team with 10.14 rebounds per contest. The Knicks’ best three-point shooter has been Evan Fournier, connecting on 2.46 shots from downtown per game.

An Eye On Pace

The Boston Celtics come into this game ranked 22nd in pace, averaging 97 possessions per game. The only opportunity statistic in which they rank in the league’s upper half is three-point attempts, at 36.3 per game. On the other side, the Knicks average just 95.6 possessions per game, placing them as the second slowest team in the NBA. Despite having fewer opportunities than nearly every other team, they still rank 10th in three-point attempts per game.

Key Matchups

Given that both teams will be looking to outshoot their opponent from downtown, look for perimeter defense to play a key role in this game’s outcome. Despite giving up more points per game, Boston has a better defensive efficiency rating, giving up 108 points per 100 possessions compared to New York at 109.7, giving them a rank of 18th in the NBA.

Key Matchups

Even though this matchup features two of the top offensive players in the league, with Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic, both the Warriors and Mavericks are top 5 defensive teams. However, in the case of Dallas, their tendency to play at a slow tempo helps limit their opponents’ scoring. As for Golden State, they are the league’s top-rated team in defensive efficiency, giving up 102 points per 100 possessions.

The Historicals

Tonight’s game between the Knicks and Celtics will already be their 3rd meeting of the season. So far, each team has picked up one win.

More Picks: Get Dan’s Top CBB Bets For the Ohio State vs. Indiana 1/6/22 Game >>>

How the Public is betting the Celtics vs. Knicks

60% are betting the Celtics against the spread.

55% are wagering on the game to go Under the posted total of 210.5

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Boston is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing New York
• Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against New York
• The total has gone UNDER in five of New York’s last six games

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Heading into this game, the Celtics and the Knicks are tied for 10th in Eastern Conference. A win for either team will move them to within one game of a .500 record. With both teams getting back to full strength after a COVID outbreak across the league, look for Boston’s dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to come out on top in what should be an exciting game.

Prop Bets Worth Wagering

Jaylen Brown is coming into this contest, on an incredible stretch scoring the ball. In his last two outings, he has put up 50 and 30 points, respectively. Look for Brown to be the big scorer as Jayson Tatum just returned to the lineup after missing four games. Want more picks? See what the Predictem Pros are on today!