Knicks vs Celtics Predictions, Picks & Best Bets for the NBA Season Opener

The Boston Celtics hang their 18th championship banner in the rafters tonight before facing the New York Knicks to open the 2024-25 NBA. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, with the game airing on TNT.

My Knicks vs. Celtics predictions expect New York to make this a tightly-contested game on the road in this clash between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams. 

Check out my NBA picks to see why you should lay the points with New York in the season opener, and be sure to read Andrew Caley's Knicks vs. Celtics prop picks!

Knicks vs Celtics prediction

Who will win Knicks vs Celtics?

This will be an Opening Night thriller, and I expect it to come down to the wire. The Boston Celtics could very well use its home-court advantage to take down the New York Knicks on ring-presentation night, but I predict that the new-look team from NYC will win and spoil the celebration. 

The Knicks upgraded their defensive personnel by adding Mikal Bridges, and strong defender OG Anunoby should be healthy to start the year. Both frontcourts are banged up, but Karl-Anthony Towns will debut for the Knicks, and he has the advantage at center over veteran Al Horford.

New York has far too much firepower on both ends of the court, and will emerge as the hungrier team after a heartbreaking exit in the Conference semis a season ago. 

My best bet
Knicks +5.5 (-108 at DraftKings)

My analysis

New York is no pushover. The Knicks finished the 2023-24 season as the No. 2 seed in the East, and though the Celtics won the regular-season series 4-1, the Knicks won the final game of the season series at TD Garden. As good as the Knicks were a season ago, they are even more formidable heading into 2024-25. 

The team’s frontcourt depth behind new addition Towns is thin due to a pair of key injuries, but the rest of the roster is loaded. The Knicks brought in Bridges in the offseason to offer another scoring punch and a high-end perimeter defender. Anunoby should be Healthy again, and Jalen Brunson has continued to ascend every year he’s been in the league. 

The Celtics will be in celebration mode on Tuesday, and it’s not clear yet how locked in they’ll be for Game 1 of their title defense. The Knicks should be highly motivated after devastating injuries cut their 2023-24 championship hopes short.

This should be a favorable spot for New York to debut its new-look roster and catch Boston off-guard. I’m predicting New York to win outright, but I’m much more comfortable betting the spread, especially at this generous line.

Knicks vs Celtics same-game parlay (SGP)

Knicks +5.5

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds

Over 224

+495 at DraftKings

Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa are both out, which leaves Towns as the proverbial last man standing at center. 

Josh Hart will offer support as a rebounder from PF and Jericho Sims could log some backup minutes, but Towns should get the Thibs treatment and see heavy playing time.

Towns averaged 11 boards across four preseason contests, corralling at least 12 in three of them. He’s already got the advantage of playing time and lack of depth behind him, but this prop is even sweeter because Kristaps Porzingis is out for Boston. Towns has averaged fewer than 10 boards per game in three consecutive seasons, but I’m not concerned about that given Tuesday’s phenomenal spot.

Rather than throwing down on more player props for this star-studded affair, I’m backing the Over.

The 2023-24 Celtics offense was statistically the most efficient in NBA history, boasting 122.2 points per 100 possessions. In addition to the historically tremendous offense, Boston turned the ball over just 12.1 times per 100 possessions, the lowest mark in the Association.

New York’s offense ranked fourth in efficiency last season, and the Knicks added offensive weapons in Bridges and Towns. Boston will be without Porzingis in the opener, but he missed 25 games a season ago, and the Celtics offense hummed nonetheless.

There should be plenty of energy on both sides of the ball, and the point total is set far too low. New York was 18-12 to the Over as a road dog last season, and Boston was 28-24 to the Over as a home favorite.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Knicks vs Celtics odds

Knicks vs Celtics live odds

Get the latest Knicks vs Celtics NBA odds.

Knicks vs Celtics opening odds

• Spread: New York +4.5 (-105) | Boston -4.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: New York +160 | Boston -190
• Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)

Knicks vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis

• Boston finished the 2023-24 season 51-44-6 ATS, including a 28-21-3 record at TD Garden.
• New York went 49-43-3 ATS last season and finished 25-20-2 ATS on the road.
• The Celtics hit the Over in 51 of 101 games during the 2023-24 campaign and 28 of 52 games at home.
• The Knicks went 45-50 to the Under last season but 25-22 to the Over on the road.
• Our Covers Consensus tool is showing that 62% of bettors are banking on Boston to cover the spread.

Knicks vs Celtics trend

Boston comfortably finished with the best regular-season record in the Association at 64-18 before rolling to a 16-3 record in the playoffs to complete the championship season. Boston went 46-6 straight-up at home but just 28-23-1 ATS. New York will have its hands full in this one, but the Knicks covered 25 of 47 road games last season. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Celtics.

How to watch Knicks vs Celtics

Knicks vs Celtics latest injuries

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