The Boston Celtics will be looking to force a deciding game in their best-of-seven first-round series against the New York Knicks when the teams meet in Game 6 action on Friday night.
Boston cut New York's series lead to 3-2 on Wednesday night with a 92-86 win as a 9.5-point underdog on the NBA betting lines at Madison Square Garden. Kevin Garnett led the Celtics' attack in that contest with 16 points and 18 rebounds on the night.
The Knicks will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 46-35-1 ATS against the number this season, while the Celtics are 37-41-3 ATS. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news). New York is 40-40-2 on the totals; Boston is 42-38-1.
View New York vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
For bettors going with the Celtics in this one, they were listed earlier as 1.5-point underdogs on the betting line at Sportsbook. Totals bettors have seen that number set at 181.5 for Monday at shops such as Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game pits the Celtics, currently No. 18 in the Odds Shark NBA Power Rankings, against the Knicks, who rate No. 9 in the most recent survey. Meanwhile, math and computer handicapping models run on this game predict a 101-97 victory for the Knicks.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Boston's No. 18-ranked offense (96.5 PPG) against a Knicks defense that ranks No. 7 at 95.7 PPG. The Celtics have averaged 46.5% from the field per game, more than the Knicks have managed so far this season (44.8% on average).
In comparing how the teams stack up statistically, the Knicks own the league's No. 10-rated mark, allowing 97.4 points per game when playing on the road. Boston, on the other hand, rates No. 16 in scoring on their home court.
Boston was a 92-86 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Knicks. They covered the 9.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 178 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Boston earned a 92-86 victory over New York on Wednesday, getting 18 points from Jeff Green at Madison Square Garden.
New York Knicks Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
Boston Celtics Trends:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing New York are 4-6
After playing New York are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
A few Knicks at Celtics trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games
New York is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games
New York is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games when playing New York
Boston is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing at home against New York
Next up:
New York home to Boston, Sunday, May 5
Boston at New York, Sunday, May 5
