Knicks vs Celtics NBA Prediction, Pick and Preview 02/27/23

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The New York Knicks continue at home and will host the Boston Celtics at the Madison Square Garden on Monday night. These teams already faced each other twice earlier this season and they're tied 1-1. The last time they met in New York, the Celtics outscored the Knicks 133-118.  Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Jayson Tatum added 26, while reserve guard Sam Hauser set career highs with 16 points and five 3-pointers. Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 14 points. Boston shot 13 for 27 from long distance in the first half and then went 14 for 24 over the last two quarters.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have had a solid season thus far, with a 35-27 overall record and a home record of 17-15. While their record places them in the middle of the pack in the NBA, they have a respectable standing within their division, ranking fourth in the Atlantic.

The Knicks have fared well against their Eastern Conference opponents, with a record of 23-16. However, they have struggled to rack up assists and currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with an average of 22.5 assists per game.

In their last game, Julius Randle and Brunson combined for 53 points to lead the Knicks to an easy 122-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, marking their third consecutive win before the All-Star break. With this victory, New York now boasts a record of 33-27, six games above .500, and the team is feeling confident about its chances for the rest of the regular season.

Julius Randle is leading the charge on the offensive end for the New York Knicks, averaging an impressive 24.7 points per game on 46% shooting from the floor. However, the team has struggled with their three-point shooting, only connecting on 34.6% of their attempts from deep, which ranks 23rd in the league. The team has also struggled with their free-throw shooting, making only 77% of their attempts, which ranks 23rd in the league as well.

On the defensive end, the Knicks have been holding their opponents to an average of 112.5 points per game and a shooting percentage of 45.6%, which is the 12th best in the league in terms of points surrendered per game and the third best in terms of shooting percentage allowed. The team ranks 18th in adjusted defensive rating. The Knicks have shown they're strong in contesting shots both inside and outside the paint, with their opponents shooting only 34.9% from deep, the sixth lowest three-point shooting percentage allowed. The team has also been grabbing rebounds at a high rate, averaging 46.8 per game, which is the third-highest in the NBA.

Over their past 10 games, the Knicks have achieved a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, maintaining a strong offensive performance by averaging 116.2 points per game. They have also demonstrated impressive defensive capabilities, with 45.2 rebounds, 21.8 assists, 4.8 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game. Additionally, their shooting accuracy has been noteworthy, with a field goal percentage of 48.0%. Although their opponents have managed to score an average of 113.0 points per game, the Knicks' recent performances have showcased their ability to compete at a high level and achieve favorable outcomes.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have long been a top contender in the Eastern Conference, and this season is no exception. Led by star forward Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have a high-powered offense that is capable of putting up points in a hurry. Tatum has been playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging an impressive 30.6 points per game, which ranks him third in the league.

While Tatum has been the standout player for the Celtics this season, he has also received strong support from his teammates. Marcus Smart has been a key contributor, averaging 11.1 points and 7.1 assists per game. Smart's defensive prowess has also been instrumental to the Celtics' success, as he has been averaging 1.6 steals per game.

The Celtics' defense as a whole has been solid this season, with a team average of 5.5 steals and 4.6 blocks per game. This indicates that the Celtics have been playing with a high level of intensity on the defensive end and have been disrupting their opponents' offensive game plans.

Despite their strong play, the Celtics have been dealing with a significant injury bug. Key players Jaylen Brown and Danilo Gallinari are both out due to injuries, which could impact the team's performance in upcoming games. Nevertheless, the Celtics have been playing some of their best basketball of the season in their last 10 games, winning eight and losing only two. During this stretch, the Celtics have been averaging an impressive 119.0 points per game, which is significantly higher than their season average of 116.0 points per game. This suggests that the Celtics have been firing on all cylinders offensively and are capable of putting up big numbers against any team.

The Celtics have also been dominant on the boards during their last 10 games, averaging 47.9 rebounds per game. This is significantly higher than their season average of 45.9 rebounds per game and indicates that the team has been playing with a high level of energy and intensity on both ends of the court.

Overall, the Celtics have been playing with a high level of intensity and focus in recent games, and their success can be attributed to their strong offensive play, dominant rebounding, and tenacious defense. While they will have to deal with injuries to key players, the Celtics have proven that they have the depth and talent to overcome these challenges and continue their success this season.

Looking ahead, the Celtics will need to continue to rely on their star players and supporting cast to maintain their edge in the Eastern Conference. With Tatum leading the charge, the Celtics have the potential to make a deep playoff run and compete for the conference championship. In conclusion, the Boston Celtics have been a top team in the Eastern Conference for several seasons now, and this season is no exception. Led by their star forward Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have a high-powered offense and dominant rebounding that have been key to their success. Despite injuries to key players, the Celtics have been playing some of their best basketball in recent games and have the talent and depth to continue their success this season.

BETTING TRENDS

Boston are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games.

Boston are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games.

Boston are 12-6 SU in their last 18 games against New York.

Boston are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games on the road.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against New York.

New York are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games.

New York are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games.

The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games against Boston.

New York are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games at home.

Prediction

Based on the current stats and betting trends, the New York Knicks are poised to win this game against the Boston Celtics. The Knicks have been on a hot streak, winning their last five games, and they have shown strong performances both offensively and defensively. Their top player, Julius Randle, has been leading the charge on the offensive end, averaging 24.7 points per game. In addition, the team has been playing well defensively, allowing an average of only 112.5 points per game and ranking third in the league in shooting percentage allowed. The Knicks have also been dominant on the boards, averaging 46.8 rebounds per game, which is the third-highest in the NBA.

In contrast, the Boston Celtics will be missing key player Jaylen Brown due to injury, which could impact their performance in this game. Although the Celtics have been playing some of their best basketball in their last 10 games, winning eight and losing only two, they have been dealing with a significant injury bug. Despite their strong offensive performances during this stretch, averaging an impressive 119.0 points per game, their defense has been less consistent, allowing an average of 114.6 points per game. This could make them vulnerable against a team like the Knicks, who have been playing solid defense.

The betting trends also favor the Knicks, as they are currently on a five-game winning streak and have covered the spread in all five of those games. Meanwhile, the Celtics have only covered the spread in one of their last eight games. This suggests that the Knicks are a better bet, both for the money line and the spread.

Overall, while the Celtics are a strong team, their injuries and recent defensive struggles make the Knicks a better bet to win this game. The Knicks have been playing well on both ends of the court, and their recent performances have shown they have the ability to compete at a high level and achieve favorable outcomes.

PICK: Knicks ML (+165)

Find more sports picks from the top sports bettors and NBA experts all in one place using our iOS and Google Play apps, as well as our other articles at Kingpin.pro.  We are the home for NBA picks, sports picks and sports betting.