New York Knicks (12-8) vs. Boston Celtics (15-5)
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics 12/8/23 – The Knicks take on the Celtics on Friday night in a battle between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. New York has won three of their last five while Boston has dropped two of their previous three. With the Celtics dominating at home this year, they’ll look to defend the Garden against the scrappy Knicks. But with New York beating the odds on the road this season, they have a strong shot to keep this one close and cover the spread. Fans and bettors alike are eager for this showdown, scouring for the best premium picks as both teams aim to solidify their standings.
The Knicks have shown great strides this season. On offense, their average is 111.5 points per game with a field goal percentage of 44.8%; three-point shooting averages 13.4 makes per game at 37.5% success rate while free throw shooting has fallen short by an average of 74.6%. Defensively they excel at rebounding with 46.1 averaged per game rebounding while 7.9 steal stats make them effective stealers; yet with an average 12.3 turnovers per game ball control remains key focus area.
The Celtics have been dominant this season, outscoring the Knicks by an average of 116.5 points per game and boasting a higher field goal percentage at 47.4%. Their three-point game stands out with 15.5 makes per game at 36.2% – also impressive is free throw accuracy at 78.9%! Defensively they edged out Knicks slightly with 47.5 rebounds per game while blocking an impressive 5.9 blocks per game! However they average more turnovers at 13.4 per game!
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics 12/8/23 Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 8, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | TD Garden |
| TV: | NBAt |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Jalen Brunson (PG) vs. Jayson Tatum (SF)
Jalen Brunson has taken his game to new heights in his first season with the Knicks, averaging 24.9 points and 5.6 assists while shooting over 46% from the field. His craftiness getting to the rim and midrange scoring prowess give New York a true offensive centerpiece. However, Brunson could struggle to finish over Tatum and the Celtics’ bigs at the rim.
Jayson Tatum continues his superstar ascent, putting up 27.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. He’ll have a noticeable size advantage over Brunson and the Knicks guards. But New York has defensive-minded wings like Quentin Grimes who could make life difficult on the perimeter for Tatum. This individual matchup could sway the game one way or the other.
With Tatum’s size and Brunson’s shiftiness, this battle of top-tier scorers could determine if Boston’s defense or New York’s offense wins out. The supporting casts around these All-Stars will need to play their roles perfectly.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but given the teams’ current form, it’s expected to be closely contested. Bettors should watch for updates on the spread and moneyline to gauge the perceived matchup balance.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
On the road this season, the Knicks have been strong against the spread with a 7-4 record. This includes covering in tough environments like Philadelphia, Memphis and Milwaukee. New York is finding ways to keep games much closer than expected away from MSG. Additionally, with four of their last five contests surpassing the betting total, the Knicks offense has been hot lately. This is evidenced by three straight overtime games in the past week.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
At home, the Celtics have largely struggled to cover lofty spreads, posting a 2-7 ATS record in Boston. Even as heavy favorites at the Garden, opponents like the Thunder and Bulls have kept games tighter than oddsmakers projected. The total has also gone OVER in just two of the Celtics’ previous nine home matchups, showcasing their stout defense. Still, over their last five overall, Boston shares New York’s 2-3 ATS record over the past two weeks.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics 12/8/23 Betting Picks
In analyzing both teams’ performances and trends, this game promises to be a close battle. The Celtics have a slight edge in overall performance, but the Knicks’ road record against the spread can’t be ignored.
Considering the teams’ offensive capabilities and recent trends, a high-scoring game could be on the cards. The key will be the Celtics’ ability to maintain their scoring efficiency and the Knicks’ response, especially from downtown. For basketball free picks, it’s recommended to keep an eye on the over/under as the game approaches.
Free Pick & Prediction: Boston Celtics 115, New York Knicks 110