After nailing the game-winning three-pointer in the series opener Ray Allen leads the Boston Celtics up against the New York Knicks tonight in the second game of their first round playoff series.
The Celtics edged the Knicks 87-85 as a 6-point home favorite in Game 1. Allen led the Celtics with 24 points, while Amar'e Stoudemire had 28 points and 11 rebounds for New York.
View New York vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Celtics are listed as 6.5-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark, with the total listed at 193.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new Power Rankings at Odds Shark, it's the No. 12-rated Celtics and the No. 16-rated Knicks in this matchup. Predictive computer formulas point to a 105-101 win for the Celtics on Tuesday.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Boston's No. 23-ranked offense (96.5 PPG) against a Knicks defense that ranks No. 28 at 105.7 PPG. The Celtics have averaged 48.6% from the field per game, more than the Knicks have managed so far this season (45.7% on average).
Defensively, the Knicks feature the league's No. 22-rated defense on the road, allowing 105.3 points per game. Boston, meanwhile, comes in at No. 20 in the league in scoring at home.
Last time out for New York, they were an 87-85 loser as they battled the Celtics on the road. The Knicks covered in the match as a 6-point underdog, while 172 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Amar'e Stoudemire poured in 28 points and chipped in with 11 rebounds in a losing cause for New York on Sunday, as the Celtics rolled to an 87-85 victory over New York at TD Garden.
New York Knicks Trends:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Boston are 2-8
After a loss are 2-8
Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing New York are 5-5
After playing New York are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
A few Knicks at Celtics trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York's last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
New York is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 9 games at home
Next up:
New York home to Boston, Friday, April 22
Boston at New York, Friday, April 22
