With the Boston Celtics looking wobbly of late, the New York Knicks feel that they can land a knockout blow this Friday in Beantown. That is still going to be easier said than done, as the Celtics are always going to be tough to beat. Will the Knicks get away with a victory? Or, will the Celtics prevent losing their third game in a row?

Catch this game live on Friday, January 27, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: New York Knicks (26-23/14-10 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Jalen Brunson
  • SG: Quentin Grimes
  • SF: RJ Barrett
  • PF: Julius Randle
  • C: Jericho Sims

The Knicks finally righted their ship last Wednesday, as they ended a four-game winless streak via a 105-103 win in Gotham over the Cleveland Cavaliers. That was a much-needed win for the Knicks, and no one showed more desperation to get that than Julius Randle. The former Kentucky Wildcats star exploded for 36 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He also made eight triples in a statement performance that must have sent a strong message to Boston. 

The Knicks have been a terrifying 3-point shooting bunch of late. They have drilled at least 13 3-pointers in each of their last three games while shooting 46.2 3FG% overall in those contests. Finally getting it together on defense in the Cavs game have the Knicks suddenly playing elite basketball on both ends of the floor.

The Knicks are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.

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Home: Boston Celtics (35-14/18-5 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Payton Pritchard
  • SG: Derrick White
  • SF: Jaylen Brown
  • PF: Jayson Tatum
  • C: Al Horford

Boston can’t wait to play at home again. The Celtics should benefit from being back in Beantown again following a bad three-game road trip that saw them end it with losses to the Orlando Magic (113-98) and the Miami Heat (98-95). The Celtics, missed the services of some of their key players in the loss to Miami, with Marcus Smart nursing an ankle injury and Al Horford and Jaylen Brown getting rested. 

Smart won’t be there for the Knicks game, while Horford and Brown are expected to see action. In any case, Boston still has Jayson Tatum, who scored 41 points on 9/18 shooting versus the Heat. Tatum had 26 points in the Celtics’ 133-118 win against New York in the Big Apple back in November. Brown led Boston that time with 30 points.

Boston, which is second in the league with 117.6 points per game, is 4-3 ATS in its last seven home games.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Knicks (+8.5) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (226.0) hits the Under.