The New York Knicks (4-14) will try to put an end to their six-game losing streak when they take on the Boston Celtics (9-8) at TD Garden. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 216.5 points with Boston opening as a 14-point favorite.
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics ATS Prediction
The Knicks failed to cover as 5-point favorites in their 118-114 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing. The game’s total points (232) were over the projected point total of 219. Portland’s 9.7 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over New York, who had a rate of 13.9. The Trail Blazers’ mark was better than their season average of 12.5, while the Knicks’ was above the 10.1 mark opponents have averaged against Portland this season. Tim Hardaway Jr. was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points on 10-for-21 shooting.
The last time the Celtics took the court, they were beaten by the Charlotte Hornets, 117-112, despite being 3.5-point favorites. The game’s total points (229) were over the projected point total of 217.5. Charlotte’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Boston. The Hornets had a rate of 0.180 (below their season average of 0.197), while the Celtics posted a mark of 0.146 (below the 0.212 mark opponents have averaged against Charlotte this season). Boston’s Kyrie Irving had a good game, leading the team in scoring with 27 points on 12-for-25 shooting.
When looking at effective field goal percentage, Boston figures to have a substantial edge. The Celtics defense ranks second in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.494), while the New York offense is ranked 29th in effective field goal percentage (0.492). Additionally, the Knicks rank fifth in offensive rebounding percentage (26.4 percent), while the Celtics rank fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.3 percent).
New York holds records of 4-14 straight up (SU) and 8-8-1 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Knicks have a slight tendency to finish over the total (52.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Boston owns records of 9-8 SU and 6-11 ATS. Unlike New York, games involving the Celtics have gone under the projected point total 52.9 percent of the time.
Irving has averaged 28 points,6.2 assists,3.0 steals over the last five games for Boston.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Jayson Tatum put up 24 points and 14 rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Celtics topped the Knicks 103-101 but could not cover as 9.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 204 points, which was 6.5 points below the projected point total of 210.5 points. The Celtics knocked down 28 of their 33 free throws (84.8 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (13.5 vs. 13.9).
Knicks vs. Celtics ATS Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Knicks, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, New York is 5-5 ATS with 6 overs and 4 unders.
Boston is 4-3 ATS at home with 4 unders and 3 overs.
In contests where they allow less than 100 points, Boston is 4-2 and New York is 1-0.
When scoring over 100 points, the Knicks are 4-11 and the Celtics are 9-5.
New York ranks third in second chance points per game (16.3) while Boston ranks 27th (10.8).
The Celtics rank first in blocks allowed per game (3.4) while the Knicks rank 24th (6.3).
Boston ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.7) while New York ranks 22nd (18.4).
The Celtics rank sixth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.4) while the Knicks rank 26th (51.8).
Boston ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (36.1) while New York ranks 22nd (28.9).
The Celtics rank 3 in assists allowed per game (21.529411764705884) while the Knicks rank 22 (24.61111111111111).
Boston ranks 10 in fast break points per game (14.764705882352942) while New York ranks 25 (10.777777777777779).
The Knicks rank 14 in rebounds per game (45) while the Celtics rank 24 in rebounds allowed per game (47.23529411764706).
Boston ranks 5 in steals allowed per game (6.882352941176471) while New York ranks 14 (7.444444444444445).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, New York is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Boston is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.8, up from 6.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 105.2 points per game (0.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 102.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
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