Celtics vs Knicks Picks and Predictions: Tatum Takes Over at the Garden

The Knicks and Celtics will go toe-to-toe against each other tonight in an old-fashioned Atlantic Division rivalry. Both teams will look to continue riding high off impressive wins against playoff-contending Eastern Conference teams in the Bulls and 76ers (albeit without Joel Embiid and James Harden). 

Tonight is a good matchup, with each coach likely relying heavily on key bench players to help them in a no-rest day situation. Boston is the favorite here, but the Knicks shouldn’t be completely overlooked.

Find out the best options with our free NBA betting picks and predictions for the Celtics vs. Knicks on Saturday, November 5.

Celtics vs Knicks best odds

Celtics vs Knicks picks and predictions

When two veteran teams come off a heart-pounding victory and have to lace ‘em up again in less than 24 hours, player performances can typically take a dip. Jayson Tatum’s history on back-to-back nights, however, suggests he could be in for another big night.

Just when it began to feel like Tatum couldn’t get any better, he has taken his game to a new level. In eight games this season, the former Duke standout has averaged 30.9 points per game on 50.3 percent shooting. Last night's 36-point performance was marvelous, as he showed once again why he’s one of the Top 10 players in the NBA. 

Tonight’s tilt suggests Tatum, even on a back-to-back, should be in store for another big game. When working with no rest last season, Tatum averaged 28.4 points on 44.5 percent shooting. His no-rest average in points was 1.5 more than his season average. Should this pattern continue, Tatum could be in for another big performance.

Combine that with the fact the Knicks’ defense hasn’t shown the ability to slow down the opposing team's best players all season. Just look at last night: Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points with Harden and Embiid out. The Knicks currently give up 24.3 points per game to small forwards this season. That is a scary proposition, knowing they have to deal with perhaps the best scoring forward in the NBA. 

Sign me up for Tatum and the points.

My best bet: Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 points (-104)

Celtics vs Knicks spread analysis

The Celtics and Knicks battled four times last season, surprisingly resulting in a split series. The closely contested matchups resulted in three out of the four games being decided by seven points or fewer. 

At 3-4, neither team has been particularly good against the spread. A few positive signs for the Knicks start with finally getting Quentin Grimes back in the lineup. Grimes, a second-year player who figures to make a big leap forward this season, adds much-needed outside shooting and perimeter defense to a lineup sorely lacking in those departments. 

What this also means is that Evan Fournier is now relegated to a reduced bench role with fewer minutes. The 30-year-old veteran has been lousy this year, and his 39 percent field goal percentage makes his value close to nothing.

 Fournier being pushed down the depth chart is a positive for the Knicks, as RJ Barrett will have one less ball hog to compete with for shots. Barrett, after a mighty struggle in the early going, is beginning to figure some things out and had a nice 22 points and 9 rebounds performance against the 76ers.

Boston, on the other hand, is led by its two powerhouse scorers in Tatum and Jaylen Brown. We all know what they’re capable of combining for (55.7 points per game). 

This should be a good game, and Barrett only allowed Tatum to score Over 20 points one time in their three head-to-head matchups last year. I think the Knicks do just enough in this one to cover the spread.

Celtics vs Knicks Over/Under analysis

Both teams coming off high-emotion wins that came down to the wire? This is a recipe for an obviously underwhelming scoring night for both teams, right? Think again.

Last season, the Celtics had a spectacular 12-3 Over/Under record on no rest days. The Knicks, on the other hand, were 5-7 to the Under. Boston has a deep team that is more than capable of having other players outside of Tatum and Brown pick up the slack on nights like this.

For one, Brown played last night's game against Chicago strategically, taking only 14 shots and obviously looking ahead to the Knicks' game as Tatum and Malcolm Brogdon carried the team on their backs against the Bulls. 

The Knicks will similarly lean on several of their bench pieces, who can get hot and change the outlook of a game in a hurry. Look for Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley to set the tone and help push the offense in this one. 

I like the Over.

Celtics vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Over is 13-3 in the Celtics’ last 16 games playing on 0 days rest. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Knicks.

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