The Boston Celtics are running away with the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but the New York Knicks have a chance to slow down Jayson Tatum and company. The Knicks have been winless this season against Boston, but have momentum as well after a big win. Will the Celtics stay undefeated against New York? Or, will the Knicks have Boston stepping on a trap?

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Away: Boston Celtics (44-12/18-9 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jrue Holiday
  • Derrick White
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Kristaps Porzingis

Not even the long break has cooled down the Celtics, who thumped the Chicago Bulls on Friday in Windy City, 129-112. Now on a seven-game win streak, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics look to further stretch their unbeaten run when they face off against a divisional rival. The Celtics seem to have the number of New York, as they are undefeated in three meetings with the Knicks so far this season. The last time Boston and New York shared the court, the Celtics came away with a 133-123 home win on Dec. 9. 

In those three games, Tatum averaged 31.3 points on 54 FG%, while Kristaps Porzingis put up 24.0 points on 56.4 FG% and 52.4 3FG%. The Latvian unicorn projects to be a massive headache for the Knicks, especially with New York missing key bodies in the frontcourt.  Then again, Boston’s more than just a one-man threat. Derrick White just dropped 28 points in the Bulls game, while Tatum and Brown had 25 and 21 points, respectively. The Celtics are also not a one-trick pony. Boston ranks fifth in the league both in scoring offense (120.8 points per game) and scoring defense (110.6 points allowed).

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Home: New York Knicks (34-22/19-8 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jalen Brunson
  • Donte DiVincenzo
  • Josh Hart
  • Precious Achiuwa
  • Isaiah Hartenstein

The Knicks finally ended their slump last Friday, as they thwarted the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, 110-96. New York had lost four consecutive games before that contest, so the win was very much welcome for the Knicks. That’s also a good sign for the Knicks’ chances to cover the spread this Saturday, as they are 17-16 ATS this season following a victory.  And while they have been dominated by the Celtics this season, the Knicks have a solid 4-2 SU and 3-2-1 ATS records in home games against Boston, dating back to the 2020-21 NBA campaign.  They also carry a 15-11-1ATS record in home games, thus far. 

The Knicks are missing three key players in Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and OG Anunoby, but they have a shiny new offensive weapon in Bojan Bogdanovic, who just torched the Sixers for 22 points with a perfect 6/6 shooting from deep. Bogdanovic has been outstanding from behind the arc this season without many noticing because he spent time in the G League with the Detroit Pistons before arriving in the Big Apple. On the season, Bogdanovic is averaging 19.8 points with a 42.4 3FG%.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Knicks cover (+7) the spread.

Over/Under: The Total (224.5) hits the Over.

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