Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Christmas Day Preview
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
When: Sunday, December 25, 2016, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Boston Celtics (-2) vs. New York Knicks (+2) – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Boston Celtics (17-13)
The Celtics have risen a few places in the Eastern Conference with the recent string of wins they have put together. Overall, the team is still in the “underwhelming” level, but the rhythm they built in the past week will be a good building block for grind of the remaining 50-plus games.
Sunday afternoon, expect an aggressive Celtics team. Isaiah Thomas, who’s posting career-highs in points (26.6) and threes per game (2.4), will have an interesting matchup with Derrick Rose and the other Knick guards. The same goes with Al Horford. He’s also compiling career-bests, particularly assists (5.3) and blocks per game (2.2), and could cause problems for Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah.
True to their “team play” identity, the Celtics are one of the best passing teams in the league, averaging a third-best 24.6 assists per game.
Adding to the great ability to move the ball is the threat they offer from the outside. Thomas is powering the Cs to be fifth in trifectas per contest. They have sank 10 or more threes in 21 of their 29 games this season.
The Celtics are 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) in their last four visits to Madison Square Garden.
Betting on the New York Knicks (16-13)
The Knicks will be coming off a win over the Orlando Magic, 106-95. They have now won back-to-back games and are 16-13 on the season, which places them fifth in the Eastern Conference.
It was a balanced offensive attack and efficient bench play that pushed the Knickerbockers to a victory, as six guys scored in double figures. The great effort by the reserves were led by Brandon Jennings (four points and 12 assists) and Kyle O’Quinn (14 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks).
Against the Celtics this Christmas Day, the Knicks will look to have the same presence from the two key back-ups, along with the play of their big three – Carmelo Anthony (22.8 PPG), Derrick Rose (16.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG), and Kristaps Porzingis (20.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.8 BPG). Porzingis, a.k.a “The Unicorn,” is second in points and rebounds, and first in blocks among second-year players.
Through the trio’s resurgence, the Knicks have improved its offense from last year, jumping from 27th to 12th in points (105.3 PPG), and 24th to 13th in offensive rating.
The Knicks are 11-4 SU and ATS at home this season. Remember, though, that they got blown out by 28 points by the Celtics in early November.
Writer’s Prediction
The Celtics win, 108-103.
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