Boston (36-16) at NY Knicks (34-17)
- When: Feb 8 2025, 8:30 PM
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
- TV: ABC
Game Preview
Spread: Boston -3.5 | Total: 233.0
New York Knicks: Looking to Close the Gap
The Knicks have been dealing with injury setbacks, but that hasn’t stopped them from staying competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With a 121-115 victory over Toronto in their last outing, New York moved within striking distance of Boston for the second seed in the East.
Jalen Brunson continues to be the driving force for New York, delivering clutch performances in back-to-back games. He dropped 28 points against the Raptors, including five crucial points in the final minute to stave off a comeback. Just one night prior, he took over late against the Houston Rockets, scoring 11 of the Knicks’ last 13 points in a 124-118 win. His scoring prop is one to watch, as he has consistently stepped up in key moments.
The Knicks remain without OG Anunoby (ankle) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery), but they’ve proven they can win despite those absences. The potential return of Robinson in the coming weeks could provide a significant boost, but for now, Karl-Anthony Towns will continue to play a crucial role inside. Towns has been dominant in the paint, and his rebounding prop should be considered against a Boston team that has been inconsistent on the boards in recent games.
Boston Celtics: Can They Bounce Back at Home?
The Celtics have been one of the league’s best teams this season, but they’ve hit some roadblocks lately, particularly at TD Garden. Their 127-120 loss to Dallas marked their fourth straight home loss following a multi-game road trip, bringing their record to 2-5 in their first home game back from a road stint. That’s a troubling trend for bettors looking to back Boston on the spread.
Jaylen Brown led the way against Dallas with 25 points, while Payton Pritchard stepped up with 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists. However, Boston struggled defensively, allowing the Mavericks to build a 27-point lead in the fourth quarter before a late push made the final score respectable.
Boston started the season on fire, winning 16 of their first 19 games, but they’ve been just 20-13 since, showing inconsistency despite maintaining a strong overall record. Coach Joe Mazzulla has emphasized that the regular season is about gathering information, but the Celtics need to tighten up defensively if they want to solidify their positioning in the East.
The Celtics’ struggles at home recently make this an interesting matchup from a betting perspective. The first-half spread could be a better angle for those hesitant to back Boston for the full game, given their tendency to underperform in home games following road trips.
Betting Trends & Prop Insights
New York has covered the spread in 5 of its last 7 games.
Boston is just 5-7 at home since Dec. 19, showing vulnerability at TD Garden.
The Celtics have struggled defensively, allowing 120+ points in two of their last three games.
Jalen Brunson’s clutch performances make his Points & Assists props an intriguing play.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ rebounding prop could offer value against an inconsistent Boston frontcourt.
Boston is favored by 3.5, but given their struggles in these homecoming games, New York has a real shot at keeping this close. If Brunson continues his recent form and Towns controls the paint, the Knicks could cover, if not steal a win outright.
Final Prediction: Knicks +3.5 | Projected Score: Celtics 115, Knicks 113
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- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
