Boston Celtics at New York Knicks NBA Picks & Predictions 2/24/2018

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Madison Square Garden

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks on Saturday, February 24, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boston as 4.5 point favorites.

The Celtics head into this matchup with a mark of 40-19. They are 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.5 as they are averaging 103.1 points per contest while giving up 99.6 per game. The Knicks have an overall record of 24-36. They currently are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 103.9 points per game and surrendering 106.2, good for a point differential of -2.3.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 34-23-2 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 29-29-1 against the over/under

Important New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 29-31-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 30-29-1 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely
02/21/18 SG Marcus Smart Hand is upgraded to probable Friday vs Detroit

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/07/18 F Kristaps Porzingis ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

Kyrie Irving comes into this game averaging 24.7 points per contest while playing 32.8 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 89%. Al Horford averages 13.3 points per contest in 32.2 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.1 assists per game and 7.7 rebounds per contest for Boston. His field goal percentage is 51% for the season while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Courtney Lee has scored 13.1 points per contest while playing 32.3 minutes per game this season for the Knicks. He hauls in 3.3 rebounds per contest and has 2.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 94%. Tim Hardaway averages 16.9 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.1 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 103.1 points per contest this year, which is 25th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.51 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 25th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They average 44.3 boards per contest and 22 assists per game, which ranks them 10th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 19th with 13.9 per game. The Celtics allow 99.6 points per contest which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd, and they allow 20.6 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 19th in the NBA with 103.9 points per contest this season. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -2.28. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 24th in the league. They are 11th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.3 boards per contest and 13th in assists per game with 22.9. The Knicks are 9th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Knicks give up 106.2 points per game, which ranks them 16th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 23.5 dimes allowed per game and 11th with 42.1 boards surrendered per contest. The Knicks are 7th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 103.2, and their offensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 30th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 18th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA. Boston is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 30th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league. The Knicks are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.8, and their defensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 30th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Boston -4.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn