Celtics vs Knicks Picks and Predictions: Celts' Talent Edge Too Much

The New York Knicks are coming off of a 10-point win over the Indiana Pacers and will look to build off that when they host the Boston Celtics on Thursday. The Celtics are on the second night of a back-to-back, as they were actually upset by the San Antonio Spurs in Boston on Wednesday. 

Will New York find a way to get it done against a division rival tonight? Continue reading our Celtics vs. Knicks NBA picks and predictions for January 6. 

Celtics vs Knicks odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The line on this game has been all over the place, as the Celtics opened as 1.5-point favorites and then the Knicks were favored late last night. Now, Boston is back to being favored by between 1 and 1.5. Meanwhile, the total opened at 212 and is now either 209.5 or 210. 

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Celtics vs Knicks predictions

• Prediction: Celtics -1 (-112)
• Prediction: Under 210 (-110)
• Best bet: Celtics -1 (-112)

Predictions made on 1/6/2022 at 10:35 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Celtics vs Knicks game info

• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
• Date: Thursday, January 6, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT

Celtics vs Knicks betting preview

Injuries

Celtics: Payton Pritchard G (Questionable).
Knicks: Nerlens Noel C (Questionable), Derrick Rose G (Out), Kemba Walker G (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Knicks are 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games as underdogs. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Knicks.

Celtics vs Knicks picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

After losing outright to the Spurs as 7.5-point home favorites, the Celtics will be looking to make up for it with a road win over the Knicks. New York is coming off a victory over Indiana last game, but the Pacers were featuring a lineup that included mostly replacement players. Now, New York will have a much better test against a hungry and talented Boston team. 

The Knicks are coming off a game in which RJ Barrett and Julius Randle combined to score 62 points, with Barrett’s performance being the one that really stood out. He does, however, face a Celtics team that has both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the perimeter. It’s hard to envision him cooking those two players, as they are both remarkable wing defenders. That’ll make it hard for New York to get things going on the offensive end, especially considering Robert Williams III will likely spend time covering Randle. 

The Celtics are also going to have a huge advantage in the backcourt, where the Knicks will be missing the offensive production of Rose and Walker. Both of those guys have been great on that end of the floor this season, and New York’s backups don’t have the same juice. Meanwhile, Dennis Schroder has been good for the Celtics and could be a big factor at the point guard position here. 

Overall, the Knicks just aren’t in the same league as the Celtics when it comes to talent right now.  

Prediction: Celtics -1 (-112)

Over/Under analysis

Six of Boston’s last eight games have gone Under the total, and New York has gone Under in five of its last six. Both of these teams have been playing low-scoring contests as of late, and it should be more of the same when they take on one another. The Celtics are currently tied for sixth in the league in defensive rating this season, while the Knicks are fourth in the league over the last 10 games. Both of these teams focus on the defensive end of the floor, and neither one plays at a fast pace on offense. 

Since Tom Thibodeau took over as head coach of the Knicks, the Under is also 36-20 when New York is avenging a loss to an opponent. The Under is also 17-6 when the Knicks are coming off a game in which they scored 105 or fewer points.  

Prediction: Under 210 (-110)

Best bet

The Knicks are 0-7 against the spread in their last seven games as underdogs, and they’re also 0-5 against the spread in their last five games as home ‘dogs. Meanwhile, the Celtics are 12-3 against the spread after a game where they scored 105 or less. With that in mind, the group should be able to learn from that tough loss to the Spurs and get out there win this one. 

Ultimately, the difference in this game will come down to Boston having Tatum and Brown. Both players are significantly better than anything New York has to offer, and the Celtics have the big men required to make Randle work hard on both ends of the floor. 

Pick: Celtics -1 (-112)

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