The New York Knicks Won't Let Me Down Saturday Vs. Boston Celtics

Despite getting destroyed in the NBA Friday (1-5 in "best bets"), I’m taking a position on the Boston Celtics (44-12) at New York Knicks (34-22) meeting in Madison Square Garden Saturday for several reasons. First, I’m a Knicks fan. Second, this is a primetime game (ABC) between the 1- and 4-seeds in the Eastern Conference. 

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Third, all of my college basketball bets finished before the Celtics-Knicks tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET and I have nothing else to bet on. More importantly, I’ve talked myself into New York having an edge over Boston in this spot. Even though the Celtics are going for a 4-game regular-season sweep of the Knicks Saturday.

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks odds (FanDuel)

• Moneyline: Boston (-250) | New York (+205)
• Spread: Celtics -6.5 (-110) | KNICKS +6.5 (-110)
• Total, 224: Over (-110) | Under (-110)

Boston is 3-0 straight up and 2-0-1 against the spread vs. New York this season. The Knicks pushed ATS as +4 home underdogs in a 108-104 loss to the Celtics Oct. 25th. So, at first glance, "Boston -7" seems reasonable. New York is missing two starters: SF OG Anunoby and All-Star Julius Randle. Both of whom are crucial to NYK’s long-term success.

However, their absences plus Boston’s dominance provide value for the KNICKS +6.5, which is playable down to +5.5. New York is a different, and better, team than in its first three meetings with Boston before Christmas 2023.

The Knicks were tinkering with their rotations at the start of the season. New York C Isaiah Hartenstein and SG Donte DiVincenzo were backups. They are both upgrades over injured Knicks C Mitchell Robinson and former SG Quentin Grimes.

New York Knicks SF Bojan Bogdanovic shoots a three over Philadelphia 76ers PG Tyrese Maxey at Wells Fargo Center.

(Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

Also, NYK has improved its roster since New Year’s Day. The Knicks traded  SF R.J. Barrett and combo guard Immanuel Quickly for Anunoby. They added sharp-shooting SF Bojan Bogdanovic and veteran scoring wing Alec Burks for Grimes and future draft capital at the trade deadline.

While OG is out with an injury indefinitely, getting rid of Barrett is "addition by subtraction" for New York. Barrett is a ball-stopper with a broken jump shot and an overrated defender. There’s more ball movement in NYK’s offense without R.J. This is another benefit of Hartenstein and DiVincenzo becoming starters. 

Barrett’s and Anunoby’s replacement, Knicks SF Josh Hart, is a terrific rebounder and great "glue guy". Furthermore, the Knicks have a bunch of good 3-point shooters, such as All-Star PG Jalen Brunson, DiVincenzo, Bogdanovic, and Burks. Boston is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. 

New York Knicks PG Jalen Brunson and SF Josh Hart during a timeout against the Orlando Magic at the KIA Center. 

(Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports)

But, the Celtics give up good looks from behind the arc. They are 28th in defensive wide-open 3-point attempt rate. "Wide-open" is when the shooter has at least six feet of distance from the nearest defender. New York’s shooters will make Boston if left open.

My booty-blasting Friday betting on the NBA hurt. Yet, I do my best sports betting with my back against the wall. And while it sucks losing money on your favorite team. I’d rather sink further in the hole with the Knicks than donk off money betting on a crappy NBA team like the Detroit Pistons.