The New York Knicks (50-32 last season) visit the Boston Celtics (64-18) on Tuesday, October 22, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Boston, Massachusetts. The game is airing live on TNT and streaming on Max, YouTube TV and other streaming apps.
The Celtics are consensus 6-point favorites over the Knicks (+6) on the spread, with the over/under currently at 221.5 points. The Celtics are -247 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while the Knicks are +200 favorites to pull off the upset against the defending champions. Speaking of which, Boston is the betting favorite to win the 2024-25 NBA title at +310, with the Knicks third at +800.
Let's dive into my Knicks vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for NBA Opening Night.
Knicks vs. Celtics Prediction
My pick: Under 222 (Bet to 221.5)
No Kristaps Porzingis, two of the slowest teams in the NBA, and despite this being opening night, this may feel (and be called like) a playoff game. There are a couple of high profile scoring props I could see going under, as well.
For all of your NBA bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NBA odds page.
Knicks vs. Celtics Odds
| Knicks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -112 | 222 -110o / -110u | +195 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -108 | 222 -110o / -110u | -238 |
- Knicks vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -6
- Knicks vs. Celtics over/under: 221.5 points
- Knicks vs. Celtics moneyline: Celtics -245, Knicks +195
- Knicks vs. Celtics best bet: Under 222 (Bet to 221.5)
Spread
The spread is -6, Celtics favored of course, as of this writing. The early sharp money is on Boston to cover, but Our NBA power ratings at Action project them as a 3.5-point underdog.
For me, I don't love touching NBA spreads that often, especially this early in the regular season.
Moneyline
The Celtics are 2 to 1 favorites, but it's hard to argue they shouldn't be. Maybe it's a parlay piece? But I don't have any real interest in betting this. I would if I saw an upset, but it's not where I'm leaning at the moment.
Over/Under
I like the under here. The Knicks were dead last in pace last season. They've been in the bottom two all but once with Tom Thibodeau, and the one year they weren't, they were just about bottom five. The Celtics were in the bottom eight last year with Joe Mazzulla and hardly better the year before. No Porzingis, the Knicks are introducing Karl-Anthony Towns, who comes from a Minnesota Timberwolves squad that was bottom seven in pace. Mikal Bridges isn't exactly a Mike D'Antoni guinea pig, either.
I think the officiating we saw late last year will carry over into this season, which tilted toward the unders. These teams are physical, slow and play like playoff teams. I think this is a May game in October, so we're going under.
My pick: Under 222 points (Bet to 221.5)
Knicks vs. Celtics Injury Report
Celtics Injuries
- Kristaps Porzingis is OUT with a foot injury
Knicks Injuries
- Precious Achiuwa is OUT with a hamstring injury
- Mitchell Robinson is OUT with an ankle injury
- Kevin McCullar is OUT with a knee injury
Knicks vs. Celtics Betting Trends
- 69% of bets and 71% of the money are on the Celtics to cover the spread.
- 92% of bets and 88% of the money on the moneyline are on the Celtics to win outright.
- 86% of bets and 88% of the money are on the over.
Betting trends via our live, updating NBA public betting & money percentages page.
How to Watch Knicks vs. Celtics
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Date: | Tuesday, October 22 |
| Tip-off Time: | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | TNT, Max / YouTube TV |
Celtics vs. Knicks is scheduled for a 8 p.m. ET start time, live from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday. The game is live on TNT and is streaming on Max and YouTube TV.
Knicks vs. Celtics NBA Opening Night
The NBA season is is finally here — and these are the highest expectations the Knicks have had this century.
What could go wrong?
Well, we get a measuring stick test out the gate for the new look Knicks, who face the defending champion Boston Celtics sans Kristaps Porzingis.
This is one that will stick with us for a while, regardless of what happens.
A couple of things to monitor in player prop world, that I may make full plays and log into the app.
Jalen Brunson under 28.5 points has my attention. The match-up is stiff — he's going against Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown — mainly the former two. This, without KP, is a better match-up for Karl-Anthony Towns, who our Joe Dellera has an over 20.5-point play that he loves — I may tail him on that. Towns is also +150 in the market to go over 2.5 threes, which is an interesting shot to take given that the Knicks may need his attempts. But Brunson went under this in three of five against Boston last year. He'll inevitably have his 30-point performances, but I'm not sure he starts off the season with one on Tuesday night.
On the same token, I'm skeptical of Jayson Tatum going over 26.5 points in his first showing against the Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby wing duo. This is more likely a stay away for me than an actual play, but I'll be watching this match-up closely.
My pick: Under 222 (Bet to 221.5)
