The No. 2 and No. 3 team in the Eastern Conference will duke it out this weekend, as the Boston Celtics visit the Big Apple for a showdown against the New York Knicks. Will the Celtics return to their winning ways with a takedown of the host team? Or, will the Knicks avenge their loss earlier this season against Boston?

Catch this game live on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Boston Celtics (27-25/ 13-15 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Derrick White
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Al Horford
  • Kristaps Porzingis

The Celtics aren’t going to win them all, but it was definitely surprising to see the reigning NBA champions lose to the undermanned Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on Friday via a 127-120 score. But despite the loss to the Mavs, the Celtics still impressed on offense, as they shot 51.7 percent from the field and went 16for-37 from deep. 

Dallas simply outgunned the Celtics, who got victimized by a throwback Klay Thompson performance that doesn’t really happen often these days. The Celtics will look to pick things up this Sunday against the Knicks, whom Boston ripped in a 132-109 win at home way back in October. This time, though, the Celtics will not have Jrue Holiday, who will miss his second game in a row because of a shoulder issue.

The Celtics are 5-3-2 against the spread in their last 10 games at Madison Square Garden. Boston is also 4-1 ATS in its last five games versus the Knicks overall.

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Home: New York Knicks (36-16/ 16-10 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • Mikal Bridges
  • Josh Hart (Probable )
  • OG Anunoby (Doubtful)
  • Karl-Anthony Towns (Probable)

After taking down a quality team in the Houston Rockets in a 124-119 home win, the Knicks escaped with a 121-115 victory over the Toronto Raptors on the road on Wednesday. With three full days of rest, the Knicks are hoping they will have all the energy they need to beat Boston. On the season, the Knicks have covered the spread in five of their nine games after two to three days of rest. 

However, OG Anunoby is considered doubtful to play in the rematch against Boston because of a foot injury that has caused him to miss both the Rockets and Raptors outings. Precious Achiuwa gives the Knicks hope that they will survive another Anunoby absence as he just stuffed the stat sheets with 17 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the win over Toronto. Although Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns are listed as probable, they don’t seem to be in serious danger of missing Sunday’s game.

The Knicks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games as the home team.

Picks

Spread: New York Knicks (+2.0)

Over/Under: Under (229.5)

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