Since winning the 2024 NBA championship, the Boston Celtics have not been the same. Instead of an expected dynasty flourishing, Boston is fighting to stay above the .500 mark.
Of great concern is how the Celtics will generate NBA betting odds value without star forward Jayson Tatum. Due to an Achilles issue, Tatum is out for the entire season.
As a result, Boston and those who bet on it are feeling the pinch.
Boston is in the red and not looking like a serious playoff contender.
On Tuesday night, the Celtics host the inconsistent New York Knicks.
The Knicks upset the Celtics in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, changing the trajectory of both teams.
NBA betting interest will be much higher than normal for this marquee matchup of ancient rivals with large fan bases.
Knicks at Celtics Preview
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Boston Celtics will host the New York Knicks at TD Garden in Boston, MA. Tipoff time is 8 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC and Peacock.
Public Betting Odds Factors
- The Knicks will draw plenty of support from their large fan base and Wise Guys who like quality road team betting value.
- Especially when New York is playing a struggling home team with a name brand, it enhances its value.
- New York offers legit wagering value. On the other hand, the shorthanded Celtics are a difficult sell to gamblers.
Knicks at Celtics Predictions
Handicapping Factors to Consider
- The Knicks have the manpower and road team price advantage in terms of NBA betting odds.
- The Knicks are one of the better offensive teams in the NBA.
- Boston can’t match New York’s offensive firepower, so it will focus on defense.
- Eventually, the Celtics will wear down.
- Boston offers less value as a name brand at home but without a key marquee man.
Knicks vs. Celtics Prime Best Bet: New York Knicks and Under the Total
Knicks at Celtics Betting Tips
New York Knicks
- New York has NBA metrics of 5th for scoring offense, 14th for field goal percentage, 10th for 3-point field goal percentage, 11th for free throw percentage, and 9th for offensive rebounding.
- The Knicks have NBA metrics of 9th for scoring defense, 14th for field goal percentage permitted, 26th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 6th for defensive rebounding.
- The New York Knicks are 12-6 straight up, 11-7 against the spread, and 10-8 over/under the total.
- New York has covered four out of their last four games. The Knicks have gone under the total in three of their previous four matchups.
- New York is 3rd in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
- New York is three games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston Celtics
- Boston has NBA metrics of 21st for scoring offense, 21st for field goal percentage, 19th for 3-point field goal percentage, 21st for free throw percentage, and 16th for offensive rebounding.
- On defense, the Celtics have NBA metrics of 3rd for scoring defense, 3rd for field goal percentage permitted, 17th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 18th for defensive rebounding.
- The Boston Celtics are 10-9 straight up, 9-10 against the spread, and 8-11 over/under the total.
- Boston has covered three out of their last four games.
- The Celtics have gone under the total in two of their previous three matchups.
- Boston is 9th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
- Boston is 5.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- The Knicks covered the spread in six of their most recent eight games against the Celtics.
- Only two of the last seven games between the Knicks and Celtics went over the total.
- Boston covered five of their most recent eight home games against the Knicks.
- Only one of the last four games between the Knicks and Celtics at Boston went over the total.
- New York covered the spread in one out of their last nine road tilts.
- New York went over the total in five of its last nine away games.
- Boston covered the spread in only five of their last 12 games at TD Garden.
- The Celtics went over the total in six of their last 10 home games.
