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Boston (0-1) at New York (1-0)
- When: Oct 24 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
- TV: Prime Video
Boston vs New York Preview & Prediction
Spread: New York -6.0
Moneyline: New York (-220)
Total: 230.5
New York Knicks Betting Outlook
The Knicks kicked off their new era in style, pulling out a gritty 119-111 win over Cleveland in their opener. It wasn’t perfect, they blew a 17-point lead but the fourth quarter showed this group’s depth and resilience under new head coach Mike Brown.
OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns both gutted through injuries and delivered big double-doubles, proving that even when banged up, New York’s stars can grind out wins. Anunoby had 24 points and 14 boards, while Towns added 19 and 11 despite being listed as doubtful just hours before tipoff.
The Knicks were without Josh Hart (back) and Mitchell Robinson (load management), yet still looked deeper than at any point last season. Miles McBride led the bench brigade with 15 points, and newcomers Landry Shamet and Tyler Kolek made meaningful contributions. Brown’s message was clear, this version of the Knicks will rely on more than just the starters who carried heavy minutes under Thibodeau.
While the offense remains centered around Jalen Brunson’s playmaking, the addition of scoring options like Towns and a healthy Anunoby gives New York a more balanced attack. At Madison Square Garden, where energy alone can swing momentum, the Knicks look poised to build early-season confidence before a tough road stretch ahead.
Boston Celtics Betting Outlook
Boston enters this matchup in unfamiliar territory, trying to rediscover its identity without Jayson Tatum. The reigning NBA champions fell 117-116 to Philadelphia after coughing up a 13-point fourth-quarter lead, and the absence of their franchise star loomed large.
Tatum’s torn Achilles not only took away the team’s top scorer but also their late-game closer. Against the 76ers, Boston’s offense collapsed in crunch time, shooting just 3-for-14 down the stretch and committing costly turnovers. Derrick White led the charge with 25 points, while Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis each chipped in 20-plus, but the cohesion that once made this team lethal was missing when it mattered most.
The Celtics’ depth is still strong, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Al Horford bring shooting and experience, but the hierarchy on offense now feels unsettled. Without Tatum, Boston needs someone to become the closer, and so far, no one has filled that role consistently.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla’s group remains capable of beating anyone, but late-game execution and chemistry will determine whether this version of Boston can stay among the East’s elite.
NBA Prediction & Betting Angle
This rivalry matchup comes early, but it already feels like a tone-setter for both sides. The Knicks’ home-court edge, improved depth, and physical defense should be enough to handle a Celtics team still learning how to finish without Tatum. Expect a competitive start but a confident Knicks finish under the Garden lights.
Final Score: Knicks 118, Celtics 110
Lean: New York -6.0
Total: Under 230.5
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
