Celtics vs. Knicks prediction, odds, spread, start time: 2023 NBA picks, Jan. 26 best bets from proven model

TD Garden showcases a high-profile tilt between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics on Thursday evening. The Knicks are 26-23 overall and 14-10 on the road this season. The Celtics are 18-5 at home, with an East-leading 35-14 overall mark in 2022-23. Marcus Smart (ankle) is out for the Celtics, with Mitchell Robinson (thumb) and Evan Fournier (personal) ruled out for the Knicks.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as an 8.5-point favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 221 in the latest Knicks vs. Celtics odds. Before you make any NBA predictions with the Celtics vs. Knicks match-up, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 15 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 47-22 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Celtics and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Knicks:

• Knicks vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -8.5
• Knicks vs. Celtics over/under: 221 points 
• Knicks vs. Celtics money line: Celtics -355, Knicks +278
• NYK: The Knicks are 16-8 against the spread in road games 
• BOS: The Celtics are 13-10 against the spread in home games 
• Knicks vs. Celtics picks: See picks here

Why the Knicks can cover

The Knicks have three players averaging at least 20 points per game this season, and New York ranks in the top quartile of the NBA in scoring 114.9 points per 100 possessions. New York leads the league with 17.8 second-chance points per game, and the Knicks are in the top three with a 32.8% offensive rebound rate. The Knicks take care of the ball with a 13.3% turnover rate, and get to the free throw line consistently, generating 25.8 attempts per game. 

New York also puts pressure on the rim with 51.9 points in the paint per game, and the team’s defense remains strong under Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks are holding opponents to 45.2% shooting and 34.5% from 3-point range, and rank No. 2 in the league in allowing 45.1 points in the paint per game. New York is also in the top 10 of the league in fast break points allowed (12.9 per game), and the Knicks are able to make life difficult for opponents.

Why the Celtics can cover

The Celtics are led by the best player on the floor in this matchup in Jayson Tatum. Tatum is averaging 31.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in January, and he ranks in the top five of the NBA in scoring 31.0 PPG for the season. He is producing a 61.1% true shooting mark, and he is also a highly effective and versatile defensive forward. Tatum keys an offense that scores 116.7 points per 100 possessions, a top-three mark in the NBA, and the Celtics lead the league in free throw accuracy at 82.9%.

Boston is a top-six team in both assists (26.6 per game) and turnover avoidance (13.6 per game), and the Celtics rank near the top of the league in shooting 37.1% from 3-point range and 56.6% inside the arc. Boston combines that fantastic offense with a very strong defense, as the Celtics lead the NBA in defensive rebound rate, assist prevention, and free throw prevention. The Celtics are in the top five of the NBA in defensive efficiency, and opponents shoot only 46.8% from the field and 53% on 2-point shots.

How to make Knicks vs. Celtics picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the point total, with five different players projected to exceed 17 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Celtics vs. Knicks? And which side of the spread hits in well over 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Knicks vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.