New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics April 8th 2025

The Knicks will host the Celtics tonight at Madison Square Garden in a divisional matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 ET and the game will be televised on TNT.

Boston (-111) is currently favored by 1 point over New York (-108). The over/under line for the game is 221 points. The Celtics are 2nd in the Eastern Conference and 1st in the Atlantic Division with a record of 58-20. They have won their last two games. The Knicks are 3rd in the East and 2nd in the Atlantic with a record of 50-28. They have also won their last two games.

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Celtics vs. Knicks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
• Where: New York at Madison Square Garden
• Date: Tuesday, April 8th
• Betting Odds BOS -1, BOS -111 | NY -108 O/U 221

The Celtics Can Win If…

The Celtics improved to 58-20 on the season with a dominant 124-90 win over the Wizards on Sunday. Playing at home, Boston entered the game as -19.5 point favorites and covered the spread with ease. The total score of 214 points fell short of the 228-point over/under line.

Boston set the tone early, leading 34-18 after the 1st quarter. A 19-0 run extended their lead from 79-60 to 98-60, and they reached the 100-point mark by the end of the 3rd quarter, outscoring Washington 40-29 in that period. The Celtics closed out the game by winning the 4th quarter 24-22.

The Celtics’ offense was firing on all cylinders in their 124-90 win over the Wizards, with Payton Pritchard leading the way with 20 points, including 12 in the 4th quarter. Derrick White added 19 points, 11 of which came in the 2nd quarter, and Sam Hauser contributed 18 points, knocking down 4 threes at a 57.1% clip.

Boston connected on 24 threes as a team, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc and 49% overall. Jaylen Brown scored 10 of his 15 points in the 3rd quarter, while Jrue Holiday and Luke Kornet each chipped in 13 points.

The Celtics’ defense was on point against the Wizards, giving up just 90 points in their win. They held Washington to 18 points in the 1st quarter and 21 in the 2nd, with the Wizards scoring 29 in the 3rd and 22 in the 4th. Boston limited Washington to 40% shooting from the field.

Boston’s defense was especially strong from beyond the arc, allowing just 12 threes on 26% shooting. The Wizards also went to the line only 10 times, making 8 free throws. The Celtics grabbed 37 defensive rebounds while allowing 11 offensive boards, and they added 6 steals and 5 blocks.

• The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last road games and 5-0 straight-up.
• Boston has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• Over their last five games, the Celtics have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks improved to 50-28 on the season with a 112-98 win over the Suns on Sunday. Playing at home, New York entered the game as -9.5 point favorites and covered the spread with the +14 point victory.

New York took control early, leading 53-43 at halftime after holding the Suns to 20 points in the 2nd quarter. A strong 3rd quarter saw the Knicks outscore Phoenix 34-27, and they entered the 4th with an 87-70 lead. The game’s total of 210 points fell short of the 225.5 O/U line.

OG Anunoby hit 6 threes at 75% efficiency, finishing with 32 points and 6 rebounds in the Knicks’ win over the Suns. He shot 76.5% from the field, making 19 of his points in the 3rd quarter. Mikal Bridges added 22 points, scoring 10 in the 2nd quarter and 8 in the 4th, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds.

The Knicks shot 54.1% from the field and 42.9% from three, hitting 12 threes overall. Jalen Brunson added 15 points, with 6 coming in the 4th quarter.

The Knicks put on a strong defensive performance against the Suns, holding them to just 98 points on Sunday. New York limited Phoenix to 23 points in the 1st quarter and 20 in the 2nd, helping them build a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Suns scored 27 in the 3rd and 28 in the 4th, but the Knicks’ defense held firm.

New York was particularly effective at defending the three, allowing just 4 made threes on 11% shooting. The Suns went 16/19 from the free-throw line. The Knicks grabbed 35 defensive rebounds while allowing 15 offensive boards. They also recorded 6 steals and 3 blocks.

• Through their last ten home games, New York has an ATS record of just 4-6. However, their overall record was 4-6 while averaging 109 points per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Knicks have an ATS mark of just 2-3 in their last five games. New York posted a straight up mark of 1-4 in these matchups.
• In their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +1, the Knicks is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 221, and our model predicts the Celtics and Knicks to score a combined 270 points. We recommend betting on the over.

NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Experts

A Final Showdown With Pride on the Line

As the 2024 NBA regular season winds down, all eyes turn to Madison Square Garden where the New York Knicks look to stop the Boston Celtics from completing a dominant regular-season sweep. While playoff seeds are mostly settled, the battle carries emotional and psychological weight—especially for two proud Eastern Conference powerhouses.

The Celtics (58-20) have already clinched a top-two seed. The Knicks (50-28) sit firmly in the No. 3 spot, needing just one more win to lock it in. But don’t let the standings fool you—this matchup is anything but meaningless.

Celtics Dominance: A Season of Sweeps

Past Encounters Tell a Story

Boston has crushed New York in all three of their matchups this season:

• Game 1: 108-85 blowout on opening night.
• Game 2 & 3: Wins by 27 and 13 points respectively in February.

The Celtics have won 7 of the last 8 meetings between the two. A sweep would be their first over the Knicks since the 2019-2020 season.

Recent Form: Peaking at the Right Time

Boston has won 11 of their last 12 games and 16 of their last 18, showcasing peak performance just ahead of the playoffs.

Key Celtics Players to Watch

Derrick White – The Steady Engine

White emphasized the team’s versatility:

“We’re just trying to create an advantage and keep that advantage.”

He’s been key in orchestrating Boston’s offense, especially with stars resting.

Jayson Tatum & Kristaps Porzingis – Rested and Ready

Both players sat out their last game due to minor ailments but are expected to return soon. Their health is vital for Boston’s championship push.

Payton Pritchard – The Sharpshooting Surprise

Pritchard has gone 8-for-20 (40%) from beyond the arc in the last three games, stepping up as a crucial bench contributor.

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Celtics By the Numbers

Coach Joe Mazzulla praised the team’s rebounding and attention to detail:

“Rebounds show effort and focus… it was good for us.”

Knicks: Underdogs With Something to Prove

Jalen Brunson – The Return of the General

Back from injury, Brunson dropped 15 points in 34 minutes against the Suns. His leadership and playmaking are vital for the Knicks.

OG Anunoby – Offensive Breakout Star

Anunoby is on a career-best tear with 10 consecutive 20+ point games. He’s become a second scoring option while maintaining his elite defense.

“He’s just doing what he does,” Brunson said. “Offensively, he’s taken a step forward.”

Karl-Anthony Towns – The Consistent Scorer

Averaging 24.7 PPG over his last three games, Towns provides a reliable interior presence and floor-spacing threat.

Coach Thibodeau’s Trust in Anunoby

Coach Thibodeau didn’t hold back his praise:

“Even if you score on him, he’s coming right back to defend hard. That’s staying power.”

It’s this toughness that makes Anunoby a potential X-factor in both this game and the playoffs.

Why This Game Still Matters

Despite the lack of direct playoff implications, both teams view this contest as a mental litmus test. For the Celtics, it’s a chance to flex superiority. For the Knicks, it’s an opportunity to show they can hang with the East’s elite before a potential playoff clash.

Prediction & Outlook

If Tatum and Porzingis return, Boston has a clear edge with their shooting and rebounding dominance. But don’t discount the Knicks’ hunger and home-court pride. A physical, close contest is likely—one that might echo in the playoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Have the Celtics swept the Knicks in recent seasons?

No. The last time Boston swept the Knicks in the regular season was during the 2019-2020 campaign.

2. Is this game important for playoff seeding?

Not directly. Both teams have mostly secured their seeding, but it’s crucial for momentum and morale heading into the postseason.

3. Who is Boston’s most consistent 3-point shooter?

Currently, both Jayson Tatum and Derrick White average 3.5 made 3-pointers per game, leading the team.

4. What makes OG Anunoby’s recent play so significant?

Anunoby has evolved into a dual-threat—maintaining his elite defense while scoring 20+ points in 10 straight games, the best stretch of his career.

5. Could this be a preview of a playoff matchup?

Yes. If both teams advance past the first round, there’s a strong chance they could meet in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

6. How have the Knicks improved without Brunson?

While Brunson was out, Anunoby and Towns stepped up as scorers. This added dimension could help the Knicks be more versatile in the playoffs.

Final Thoughts

This Celtics vs. Knicks matchup is more than just another regular-season clash—it’s about confidence, rivalry, and setting the tone. Boston seeks to dominate from start to finish, while New York aims to reclaim some pride and send a message that they’re not going down without a fight.

Stay tuned. This one might feel like Game 1 of a future playoff series.