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Knicks and Celtics on a Friday night at the Garden. The other Garden. Both teams lost their openers, so somebody’s starting 0-2. Our numbers have Boston by more than the board does, so I’m laying the short number with the Celtics.
The Matchup
- Both teams are 0-1. Boston lost 121-113 in Detroit on Tuesday, and the Knicks lost 106-100 at home to Philadelphia on banner night.
- Paul George carried Boston. He scored 38 in Detroit. Derrick White added 17 and 8 assists, and Payton Pritchard had 17.
- Brunson and Towns. Jalen Brunson scored 21 and Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 and 12 against Philly. Mikal Bridges was held to 4.
- Last season. Boston went 56-26 and outscored teams by 7.7 a game; the champion Knicks went 53-29 at plus 6.3.
- Tip-off. 7:00 PM ET at TD Garden, on Prime Video.
Injuries
Boston’s Devin Carter is out with mono. The Knicks have nobody listed.
The Number
Last season’s scoring margins plus home court make Boston about a three-and-a-half-point favorite. The board has Boston by two and a half. That’s about a point of daylight on the Celtics.
The honest case against: Boston lost Jaylen Brown this summer, so last season’s numbers flatter them, and the Knicks are the champs. It’s a Game Pick, a lean, and like every pick we post, it lands on the receipts page win or lose.
Bottom Line
Take the Celtics minus two and a half at . Lean. Somebody’s going 0-2, and it shouldn’t be the team at home. Celtics.
Lines as posted Friday at 10:26 AM ET, after the Friday injury check. Confirm them before tip.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in two legs. If Boston covers, it’s because Towns is scoring and Boston is making Brunson work. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not two bets.
The angleBoston wins at home and Towns stays a scorer, not a passer.
Build it at FanDuel →FanDuel prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Lines as posted Friday at 10:27 AM ET; confirm them before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick. Player props not available in all states.
Best Props for This Game
Bets beyond the spread, from either side. With one game played, the trends lean on last season. These are Game Pick props, separate bets from our pick, so keep them small.
He’s the Knicks’ closer, and he loves this matchup.
- TrendOver 24.5 in 48 of 75 games last season; 21 on Tuesday
- MatchupHe scored 31, 15, 31 and 25 against Boston last season
He’s a scorer first, and the line is above his average.
- TrendUnder 4.5 in 63 of 76 games last season; 1 assist on Tuesday
- MatchupHe had 3, 2, 1 and 4 assists against Boston last season
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