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New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Odds, Tips and Prediction

Date: Sunday 8th February 2026 Tip-Off Time: 12:30 pm local time (5:30 pm BST) Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts TV: ESPN Streaming: Prime Video, DAZN, NBA League Pass Records: Boston Celtics 30-18, New York Knicks 30-18 Referee: N/A Last Meeting: Boston Celtics 123-117 New York Knicks The Boston Celtics host their fierce divisional rivals, the New York Knicks, for this Sunday lunchtime encounter. The Celtics and the Knicks are fighting for the top seat in the East. Which team will prevail? If you’re planning a wager, stick to reputable online NBA betting sites with clear odds and a good range of markets.

Henry Cheal
Henry Cheal

Last updated: 2026-02-03

Chad Nagel

6 minutes read

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Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the New York Knicks

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the New York Knicks / Getty Images

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability

  1. New York Knicks: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%

  2. Boston Celtics: 2/7 (1.29) – 77.8%

  3. Forecast odds – Betting available on FanDuel closer to event

Head-to-Head Record

The Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks matchup is one of the longest-standing rivalries in the NBA. Throughout regular-season history, this historic matchup has occurred 500 times, with one clear winner in the head-to-head. The Celtics have won 309 games, compared to the Knicks’ 191 victories.

Last 5 Matches

SeasonDateResult
2025-26 SeasonDecember 2, 2025Boston Celtics 123-117 New York Knicks 
2024-25 SeasonOctober 24, 2025New York Knicks 105-95 Boston Celtics 
2024-25 SeasonApril 8, 2025Boston Celtics 119-117 New York Knicks
2024-25 SeasonFebruary 23, 2025Boston Celtics 118-105 New York Knicks
2024-25 SeasonFebruary 8, 2025Boston Celtics 131-104 New York Knicks
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New York Knicks Current Form & Key Stats – WWWWW

  • Record : 30-18
  • Home Form: 19-6
  • Road Form : 10-12

At the time of writing, the New York Knicks have won five straight games after a brief drop off in form. The franchise has caught up with their opponents and holds the same record as the Boston Celtics. New York will once again be a firm favorite in the playoffs but need to keep the momentum going to ensure they have favorable opposition in the postseason. 

New York Knicks – Offense vs Boston Celtics Defense

The Knicks rank seventh in the NBA and third in the Eastern Conference in points per game. Averaging 117.8 points per contest highlights the strength of their offense. Despite the Knicks’ strong offense, they are going up against a Celtics defense that ranks second in the league in points allowed per game. This will make it a tough test for anyone, but the Knicks have demonstrated this season that they can beat one of the best defenses in the league. 

Key Players to Watch

  • Jalen Brunson (Guard) – Brunson was previously on the sidelines with a minor injury, but his return has seen the re-emergence in form for New York. The Knicks will need him healthy for this game because he’s averaging an impressive 28.6 points and 6 assists per game, the highest in the franchise. 
  • Karl-Anthony Towns (Center) – Towns is averaging 20.2 points per season, which are numbers that match his career-long consistency. He’s leading the league on rebounds, averaging 11.6 per game, showcasing why he’s one of the best centers in the league.  
  • Mikal Bridges (Guard) – Featuring in 47 games this season, Bridges is averaging 16 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. The numbers are higher than his career numbers, but he’s operating alongside one of the best shooters and rebounders in the league. 

Injury Report

  • Miles McBride – Day-to-day (ankle)
  • Kevin McCullar Jr. – Day-to-day

Boston Celtics Current Form & Key Stats – WLWLW

  • Record: 30-18
  • Home Form : 15-8
  • Road Form : 15-10

The Boston Celtics have had a slight downturn in form in their recent encounters, winning six of their last ten matchups. Despite the minor blip, the 2024 NBA champions are in strong contention to win another title this season. They currently hold the same record as their opponents, the New York Knicks. 

Boston Celtics Offense vs New York Knicks Defense

Boston ranks 16th in the league in scoring, averaging 116.3 points per game. While this marks an improvement from last season, it still falls short of the output produced by the NBA’s elite offenses. Despite sitting third in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics will need to take another step forward in time for the playoffs if they want to reach the next level.

One concerning trend, however, is their ball movement. The Celtics rank 29th in the league in assists per game, averaging just, highlighting a tendency toward isolation play. With such a talented roster, Boston will need to do a better job of sharing the ball to maximize their offensive potential.

Key Players to Watch

  • Jaylen Brown (Guard) – Due to Jayson Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown has stepped up as the Celtics’ best offensive weapon and is their most reliable scorer this season. He’s averaging a career-high 29.4 points per game, along with 6.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists. 
  • Neemias Queta (Center) – The 26-year-old is Boston’s lead rebounder, producing 8 per game. Queta ranks 23rd in the league in this area, but it’s a sign that the Celtics are missing one key player to help with offensive rebounding. 
  • Derrick White (Guard) – White is the Celtics’ second lead shooter for the season, and the point guard is averaging a career-best 17.4 points per game. The same applies in rebounds and assists, posting 4.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He’s in the prime of his career at 31. 

Injury Report

  • Jaylen Brown – Day-to-day (hamstring)
  • Jayson Tatum – Out (Achilles)

Predicted Line-Ups

  1. New York Knicks

    Guard: Jalen Brunson
    Guard: Josh Hart
    Center: Karl-Anthony Towns
    Forward: OG Anunoby 
    Forward: Mikal Bridges

  2. Boston Celtics

    Guard: Payton Pritchard 
    Guard: Derrick White
    Center: Neemias Queta
    Forward: Jaylen Brown
    Forward: Sam Hauser  

Value Bets

If you’re having a punt on this matchup, these angles focus on what the numbers are pointing to rather than guessing a scoreline. You can find these markets on top betting sites in the USA, so it’s worth comparing prices before you place anything.

  1. Total Points: Under 244.5: Both teams’ points per game averages lead us to suggest this could be a high-scoring affair. The Knicks may have the upper hand with their offense, but the Celtics have a solid defense. We predict this game will be under 241.5 total points. 

  2. Jalen Brunson to post at least 25 points and at least 5 assists: In his last ten matches against the Celtics, Brunson has averaged 25.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. He’s also completed three double-doubles, meaning a safe bet of 25 points and 5 assists is likely to occur.   

  3. Celtics to Win: The Celtics have won four of their last five games against the Knicks

Why the Boston Celtics Can Win

The Celtics can utilize home court advantage to secure victory. 
Boston has one of the best-ranked defences in the league in points allowed per game. 
The Celtics have won four of their last five games against the Knicks.

Expert Prediction

SportsBoom concludes this preview, predicting that the Boston Celtics will prevail. The organization may be lacking in current form, but their strong recent record against the New York Knicks is a key strength. With one of the best defenses in the league, too, Boston should get the job done against one of its biggest rivals on their own stomping ground.

Henry Cheal
Henry ChealSports Betting Writer

Henry Cheal is a versatile freelance sports journalist with extensive experience in the industry. Henry has previously worked at the 2024 World Snooker Championship and earned a Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from UCFB in 2023.