Sunday, April 2, 2017

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to Madison Square Garden to play the New York Knicks on Sunday, April 2, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 6 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 49-27. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.6 as they are averaging 107.8 points per game while giving up 105.2 per contest. The Knicks have an overall record of 29-47. They currently are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 104.7 points per game and surrendering 108.2, good for a point differential of -3.5.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 37-37-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 36-39-1 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 40-36-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 37-39-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

04/01/17 F Amir Johnson Ankle injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. New York
04/01/17 PG Avery Bradley Illness "?" Sunday vs. New York

Key New York Knicks Injuries

04/01/17 F Carmelo Anthony Back "?" Sunday vs. Boston
04/01/17 PG Derrick Rose Knee "?" Sunday vs. Boston
04/01/17 F Lance Thomas Hip "?" Sunday vs. Boston
03/20/17 C Joakim Noah Knee out for season

Player Spotlight

Isaiah Thomas comes into this contest averaging 29.2 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 2.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 5.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 91%. Al Horford averages 14.1 points per game in 32.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Carmelo Anthony averages 22.5 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Knicks. He grabs 5.9 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Derrick Rose averages 18 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 4.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 107.8 points per contest this season which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.58 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 25 assists per game which ranks them 26th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 20th with 13.4 per game. The Celtics allow 105.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc ranking them 10th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.5 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 22.6 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.7 points per game this year which ranks them 17th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 23rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the NBA. They average 45.4 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per contest which ranks them 5th and 19th respectively. In the turnover department the Knicks rank 14th with 13.9 per game. The Knicks allow 108.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 12th and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest which puts them in 9th place in the league. The Knicks force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics have an offensive rating of 111.1 and a defensive rating of 108.4. In terms of pace they average 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 57% and they shoot 3 pointers on 39% of their shots. Boston turns the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks rating on offense is 107.7 and they have a defensive rating of 111.3. They get 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 28% of their shot attempts. New York turns the ball over on 12.5 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New York +6

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