BING BONG!
The New York Knicks are developing an affinity for dramatic Ws over the Boston Celtics this season, winning 108-105 Thursday night on RJ Barrett's ridiculous game-winner after also gutting out a double-OT victory against Boston in the season opener.
The Celts look for revenge Saturday in a home-and-home set. Find out if they can get it with our NBA picks and predictions for Knicks vs Celtics on January 8.
Knicks vs Celtics odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Boston opened as a 6.5 or 7-point favorite at most books. -7 is the current line at most outlets, with select shops still offering -6.5 as of Saturday morning. The 208.5 opening total has dropped to 208 and 207.5.
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.
Knicks vs Celtics predictions
Predictions made on 01/8/2022 at 8:20 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2021-22 NBA season, here are two of the best welcome bonuses available:
USA: Caesars Greetings! From now through 1/19/2022, any user that opts in to Caesars’ promotion and places $100 worth of settled bets (by 1/19) will receive a gift card for a FREE NBA Jersey. Opt in Now
Canada: Get a 100%-matched sign-up bonus (up to $400) at BetVictor. Claim Now
Knicks vs Celtics game info
• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCS-BOS, MSG, TSN
Knicks vs Celtics betting preview
Injuries
Knicks: Derrick Rose PG (Out), Kemba Walker PG (Questionable), Nerlens Noel C (Questionable), Evan Fournier SG (Questionable).
Celtics: Payton Pritchard PG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Under is 4-1 in Celtics' last five games both as a home favorite and when allowing 100+ points in the previous game. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Celtics.
Knicks vs Celtics 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
The Celtics should be pissed off and coming out motivated for this game. All they did Thursday night was become the second team in the entire league this season to blow a 25-point lead, losing on a buzzer-beating 3-point banker. The question is whether a team as wavering as the Celts have been this season will.
Boston is certainly the more talented of these two teams from both a top-end and depth perspective. Depending on which version of Julius Randle shows up tonight, the Celtics could have the two best players on the court in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They also have the deeper bench, especially considering New York's multiple backcourt injuries.
The Knicks had to get extremely lucky to even be in the game Thursday night, needing not only a total Celtics collapse, but 41 points from Evan freaking Fournier, the latter of which is absolutely not happening again (Fournier is also questionable as of writing).
Boston's just a bad matchup for the Knicks. The Celts have the defensive chops and matchups to lock down the Knicks' best attackers, and the 'Bockers aren't a creative or dynamic enough team to summon other scoring.
And while the Celtics are on a bit of an ATS swoon (1-5 in past six games), this is the mother of all get-right opportunities: a statement rematch against a team they were blowing out two nights ago before folding like clean laundry. They're back at home, and if this game doesn't make them bring their best, nothing will.
Prediction: Boston -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
This is just a low total, coming in at 208, well below the 212.7 these two sides collectively average.
This half feels like a trap by the books — the number looks so fishy. But the Knicks play at the NBA's slowest pace, and suck the life out of just about any contest. Likewise, the Celtics are a Top-10 defensive team, and as mentioned above, can flex on a team like New York, inhibiting its best scorers.
In top form, Boston's the better team on both sides of the ball, but it seems more likely it'll dig in on the defensive end after giving up a 40-burger to a journeyman role player. Coach Ime Udoka ripped into the Celtics' toughness after Thursday's loss, and if one side of the ball is Boston's calling card, it's certainly defense.
The Knicks will ensure this game is slow, and the Celts will only exacerbate New York's preexisting scoring woes.
Prediction: Under 208 (-110)
Best bet
It's gut-check time for the Celtics, who are finally healthy and face an uphill climb to get back into the East's play-in picture.
Boston's been one of the NBA's most inconsistent teams over the past two years, but they're facing great onus both in terms of this season and in the vacuum of tonight's matchup.
The Celts are easily the better team here, and can take advantage of a Knicks squad that matches up poorly, could be dealing with several key backcourt injuries, and won't have the same point to prove Saturday night.
Pick: Boston -6.5 (-110)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA Knicks vs. Celtics predictions and picks in a single-game parlay, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
