Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks

Boston has gone OVER five of seven, including by 14.5 points in its 127-120 loss to Dallas on Thursday. New York has gone OVER three straight and five of six and the Knicks have averaged 127.5 points their past six games. New York is 10-1 OVER its past 11 games against teams with .600 winning percentages, and it has gone OVER four of five Saturday home games. The Knicks are shooting 49.5 percent overall and 37.5 percent from 3-point range this season. Both teams score 117 points per game, and the Celtics shoot 36.6 percent on 3-point tries. The first meeting this season soared OVER by 19.5 points. Take the OVER.

Defending champion Boston fully expects to win it again in 2024-25, and it has locked up most of its roster for years to come with enormous contracts. The starting five will likely be Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, although center Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely with a leg injury. The top 11 scorers return from a team that went 64-18 in the regular season and then cruised through the playoffs with a 16-3 mark. New York traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns and acquired Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn. Boston has won five of the past six meetings with a 4-1-1 ATS record. It's Ring Night for the Celtics, but don't expect a letdown from this crew. The Knicks will need a little time to acclimate their new acquisitions. Lay the points with the Celtics.

New York is on a 10-5 SU, 10-4-1 ATS run. The defense is second in the NBA in points given up with the team 28-16 ATS as a favorite. The Knicks are also on a 51-34 spread run on the road, including 21-9 as a road favorite. The Celtics have clinched the NBA's best regular-season record and the No. 1 overall playoff seed. Boston comes off a 104-91 loss to Milwaukee with injuries while resting several key players. Jaylen Brown (hand), Jayson Tatum (knee), Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday are all questionable to play tonight. They're also limiting the minutes of Kristaps Porzingis, who has a hamstring injury and didn't play against the Bucks. With Boston 17-33 ATS at home after being outrebounded by 10+ boards in two consecutive contests, back the visitors. Play New York.

Boston does its best work at home (26-3) but is playing its fourth road game in five contests. They're on a 5-10 spread run and are 12-25 ATS after playing two straight as a favorite. New York comes off a 110-96 win at Philadelphia on an 82-63 ATS spread run. The Knicks are a home dog in this rivalry game but are third in the NBA in points allowed. New York is 49-36 ATS after a victory and NBA teams with a winning percentage of 60% to 75% that have dropped five or six of seven are 48-15 ATS versus winning teams. Play New York.