Knicks vs. Celtics: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Knicks vs. Celtics Odds
| Knicks Odds | *+8.5 |
| Celtics Odds | -8.5 |
| Over/Under | 221 |
| Date | Thu, Jan. 26 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | TNT |
Tonight, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will meet at the TD Garden. Entering play, New York (26-23) trails Boston (35-14) by nine games in the Eastern Conference standings. Oddsmakers are anticipating a relatively easy victory for the Celtics on Thursday, pricing them as 8.5-point home favorites on the spread.
New York Knicks
Robinson OUT
This evening, Mitchell Robinson will miss his fourth consecutive game since suffering a right thumb injury. In his absence, New York is 1-2, with their lone win coming this past Tuesday, 105-103, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Notably, the Knicks have regressed significantly on the glass with Robinson on the sidelines, going from one of the NBA’s best rebounding teams to worse than league average.
Per Cleaning the Glass, New York ranks in the 90th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 78th percentile in defensive efficiency with Robinson on the floor this season, compared to the 53rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 23rd percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines. Facing the best team in the Eastern Conference on Thursday, the Knicks have a tall task in front of them without one of their key contributors.
Who will step up with Robinson out?
In New York’s most recent victory over Cleveland, Julius Randle led the team with 36 points and 13 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. He attempted nearly twice as many field goals as any other player on the roster, and was one of the team’s primary contributors – dishing out four assists.
Per CourtIQ, Randle is averaging a team-high 27.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per 36 minutes of action this year when Robinson is on the sidelines. In his last two games, he is averaging 29.5 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.
Bettors can target the over on his points + rebounds + assists line using our No House Advantage promo code to pick Randle over 41.5 points + rebounds + assists in a DFS props game.
Boston Celtics
Smart OUT
Marcus Smart will be in street clothes this evening, as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. Prior to his injury, Boston had won seven consecutive games with Smart in the lineup. In two games without him this week, the Celtics are 0-2, having lost to the Orlando Magic by 15 points and to the Miami Heat by three points.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Boston ranks in the 87th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 73rd percentile in defensive efficiency with Smart on the floor this season, compared to the 79th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 83rd percentile in defensive efficiency when he is off of the court.
Who will step up for Boston with Smart out?
Per CourtIQ, Malcolm Brogdon (+3.7%) receives the largest increases in usage when Smart is on the sidelines. In two of his last three games with Smart out of the lineup, Brogdon has scored at least 18 points. In the other contest, Brogdon delivered 11 points on an inefficient 3-for-9 shooting performance against the Chicago Bulls.
Knicks vs. Celtics – Picks & Predictions
Despite the fact that New York is missing Mitchell Robinson in this game, there is little justification for them to be near double-digit underdogs on Thursday. Only three teams have a better Net Rating than the Knicks on the road this year, and only two teams have more wins than New York away from home.
Boston is an elite basketball team, but they will be without one of their primary playmakers in this spot. Expect Julius Randle and company to do enough to keep this contest competitive into the closing minutes.
PICK: Knicks +8.5 (-110, FanDuel)
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