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New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics February 8th 2025
At 8:30 ET, the Knicks will host the Celtics in a divisional matchup. The Knicks (+117) are currently on a two-game win streak and are 3rd in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics (-139) are 2nd in the East and 1st in the Atlantic Division.
This game will be played at Madison Square Garden and can be seen on ABC. The over/under line is currently set at 232 points.
Looking for the best NBA betting picks? Find out what the experts are saying!
Celtics vs. Knicks Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
- Where: New York at Madison Square Garden
- Date: Saturday, February 8th
- Betting Odds BOS -2.5, BOS -139 | NY +117 O/U 232
The Celtics Can Win If…
Boston’s season record fell to 36-16 after a 127-120 home loss to the Mavericks on Thursday. The Celtics, who were favored by 12.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 247 points exceeded the over/under line of 232.
The Mavericks took control with an 11-0 run early on, and Boston couldn’t recover. Dallas extended their lead to 104-83 by the end of the 3rd quarter. Although the Celtics outscored the Mavericks 37-23 in the 4th quarter, it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points, shooting 56.2% from the field and hitting 3 threes at a 75% clip in their 127-120 loss to the Mavericks. Payton Pritchard added 21 points, 16 of which came in the 4th quarter, and connected on 3 threes as well.
Boston shot 51.7% from the field, making 16 threes at a 43.2% rate. Brown scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Pritchard’s late surge highlighted the final period.
Defensively, the Celtics struggled against the Mavericks, allowing 127 points on 55% shooting. Boston gave up 32 points in the 1st quarter, 35 in the 2nd, and 37 in the 3rd, before tightening up in the 4th, where they allowed 23 points.
Boston allowed 15 threes on 45% shooting from deep. The Celtics sent the Mavericks to the line 18 times, where they made 14 free throws. Boston finished with 29 defensive rebounds, allowing 8 offensive boards, while recording 2 steals and 6 blocks.
- Through their last five road contests, the Celtics offense has averaged 113 points per game while allowing an average of 111. Boston posted an overall record of 4-1 while going 2-3 ATS.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 6-4. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-7.
- Over their last three games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Knicks Can Win If…
The Knicks improved to 34-17 on the season with a 121-115 win over the Raptors on Tuesday. New York, who were -5.5 point favorites, covered the spread in the road win. The total score of 236 points went over the line of 228.
A 12-0 run helped the Knicks take control, as they turned a 59-51 deficit into a 63-59 lead. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring Toronto 38-17, and entered the 4th quarter up 98-86. The Raptors made a push in the final period, but New York held on for the win.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 28 points in their 121-115 win over the Raptors, shooting 47.6% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 28.6%. Karl-Anthony Towns added 27 points and 20 rebounds, shooting 52.6% and making 2 threes at 66.7%. Precious Achiuwa contributed 17 points on 63.6% shooting.
The Knicks shot 50% as a team, but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 8 threes at 32%. Brunson scored 9 points in the 1st quarter, while Towns had 11 in the 2nd. Josh Hart was key late, scoring 8 points in the 3rd and 7 more in the 4th.
Defensively, the Knicks had a strong 2nd quarter, holding the Raptors to just 17 points, but they struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 34 and 35 points, respectively. Overall, they allowed 115 points on 52% shooting from the field.
From beyond the arc, New York limited Toronto to 11 threes on 37% shooting. The Raptors also went 18/19 from the free-throw line. The Knicks gave up 10 offensive rebounds but recorded 10 steals and 4 blocks.
- Across their last three home contests, New York has been good against the spread posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 3-0, while averaging 115 points per game.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Knicks have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
- In their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
The Knicks come in as the underdog at +2.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 232 and our model has the Celtics and Knicks finishing with a combined 257 points. Our pick is to take the over.
Who Has the Edge in This Rivalry?
Get Expert NBA Insights Now!
Knicks Target Rival Celtics as They Jockey for Second in East
Injuries to OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson prevented the New York Knicks from competing at full strength last postseason, but they may get a chance to make a statement against the Boston Celtics on Saturday.
Knicks Looking to Close the Gap
New York is aiming to inch closer to the Celtics in the battle for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are coming off a 121-115 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, while the Celtics’ four-game winning streak was snapped by a 127-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.
That defeat allowed New York to move within 1.5 games of Boston. The Knicks secured the second seed last season but were hampered by injuries in their second-round loss to the Indiana Pacers, who went on to fall to Boston in the conference finals.
“We’re not at full strength, but we’ve found ways to win,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “That speaks to the depth and resilience of this group.”
Key Players Stepping Up for New York
Jalen Brunson has been the driving force behind the Knicks’ success, scoring 28 points against Toronto, including five in the final 52 seconds to hold off a late Raptors rally. A night earlier, Brunson led the Knicks’ comeback win against Houston with 11 of the team’s final 13 points.
“That’s what he does, man,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “Get to watch his show on the court. That’s the best seat in the house.”
Though Anunoby (ankle) and Robinson (ankle) remain sidelined, Robinson has been cleared for contact, hinting at a potential return later this season.
Celtics Seeking Consistency
Boston began the season strong, winning 16 of its first 19 games, but has since gone 20-13, struggling to sustain momentum. Their home form has also been uncharacteristic, with a 5-7 record at TD Garden since Dec. 19.
The loss to Dallas marked the fourth straight time the Celtics have lost their first home game following a multi-game road trip. Guard Payton Pritchard, who tallied 21 points against Dallas, acknowledged the struggles.
“We’ve been struggling this year coming off long road trips, coming back home,” Pritchard said. “That’s something we’ve got to fix. I don’t know if it’s just the effort side of things or something.”
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points in the loss.
Need Insights On The Go? The Scores And Stats Blog Has You Covered.
Season Series and Playoff Implications
This is only the second meeting of the season between these longtime rivals. With both teams jockeying for playoff positioning, a win for the Knicks would put added pressure on the Celtics in the race for home-court advantage.
Will the Knicks Close the Gap or Will Boston Hold Firm?
With New York surging and Boston seeking stability, Saturday’s showdown could have significant playoff implications. Can the Knicks continue their charge, or will the Celtics reassert their dominance?
