Knicks vs. Celtics odds, prediction: Best bet for Game 1 of NBA Playoffs series
The Knicks have a golden opportunity to demonstrate that the regular season does not carry over into the playoffs, or at least that is what they hope.New York lost all 10 games against teams that finished with at least 60 wins.The Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics won by an average margin of 16.8 points and only three of those wins came by single digits.The Knicks draw their Atlantic Division rival in their second-round series that begins Monday, which is something many fans anticipated and, truthfully, dreaded.
Yet, most figured they would eventually have to go through the defending champs to get over the hump and reach the conference finals for the first time since 2000.Boston is a -800 series favorite and almost a pick ’em to allow just one Knicks win.That pricing seems fair, as I do think this series will reflect what we saw in the regular season.
The Celtics swept all four meetings with the lone single-digit win coming by two points in overtime.I could see New York getting a win but probably not more than that. However, my top pick for the series is Jayson Tatum to lead all players in scoring at +100 odds at BetMGM.
The six-time All-Star averaged 33.5 points in those four meetings, and while Boston does surround him with capable shooters, the offense still runs through him.Jalen Brunson is the co-favorite at +100 odds and figures to be Tatum’s only threat with Karl-Anthony Towns (14/1) and Jaylen Brown (16/1) next.So the question is whether Brunson can create enough magic and dominate like he so often has.Brunson averaged 26.8 points against Boston this season, which is slightly above his season average of 26.0.
That includes just 4.5 free-throw attempts in four meetings, which ranks among the lowest of any opponent he faced.I believe that continues in this series, as the Celtics will defend effectively without allowing Brunson to live at the charity stripe.Plus, New York’s path to success is through a collective effort a...