New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics 12/02/2025
Two East powers with very different storylines meet in Boston on Tuesday night, December 2, 2025 (8:00 p.m. ET) at TD Garden, and the betting angles are as compelling as the rivalry. The Knicks are out of the blocks with strong two-way metrics and a road-ready core, while the Celtics are navigating a choppy start as head coach Joe Mazzulla manages life without Jayson Tatum. New York’s pace-and-space with Karl-Anthony Towns stretching the floor and OG Anunoby locking up wings has produced dependable production away from home. Boston, meanwhile, has been competitive but inconsistent late in games, with Jaylen Brown carrying a bigger creation load.
For bettors, the classic three markets—Moneyline, Spread, and Totals—offer distinct approaches to this matchup. With the Knicks trending up and Boston looking for its signature home response, value leans toward New York’s resilience and defense traveling. The recent form backs it: the Knicks have four wins in their last five outings, the Boston three wins in their last five, and the last head-to-head was a double-digit New York result. Expect TD Garden energy, tactical wrinkles from Mazzulla, and a tempo that could tighten as the night goes on.
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Our betting predictions for New York Knicks @ Boston Celtics
Main Tip: Spread pick – Knicks -2.5
1) Spread pick: Knicks to cover -2.5 at -117 with bet365. I price New York at a 54% likelihood to cover, which translates to about -117. Why: The Knicks’ road profile is steady—balanced scoring, solid half-court defense, and late-game execution around Jalen Brunson. With Anunoby listed as probable and Hart back in the rotation, New York’s wing defense can shrink Boston’s driving lanes and contest catch-and-shoot looks. The Celtics have had stretches where they allow one avalanche quarter; if that shows up again, the spread becomes manageable.
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Tip 2: Moneyline – Knicks ML
Moneyline: Knicks ML with best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. I make New York around a 57% win chance. Why: The Knicks are simply the more stable outfit right now. They’ve won four of five, own a superior efficiency differential, and their closing five is settled: Brunson, McBride, Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns, with Hart as a high-activity sixth man. Boston’s ceiling remains high at home, but the absence of Tatum—their primary late-game problem-solver—has been evident in one-possession finishes.
Tip 3: Total – Under 226.5
Total: Under 226.5 at -115 (best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook). I project about a 53% chance of the Under cashing, correlating to around -115. Why: New York’s defense tends to travel, and with the Knicks likely dictating half-court possessions through Brunson’s pace control and KAT’s pick-and-pop spacing, possessions could skew methodical. Boston’s defense has been uneven by stretches, but TD Garden games often settle into a more disciplined rhythm.
Team Statistics
Boston Celtics (home, Eastern Conference): Through 20 games, Boston is 11–9 overall and 6–4 at TD Garden. The Celtics average 114.9 points per game and allow 110.9, a positive differential of about +4.0. At home, they score 119.3 points per game and concede 113.1, pointing to stronger offensive pop in Boston. Over the last five games, they’ve posted three wins and two losses, including a two-point road edge over Cleveland most recently—encouraging, particularly for late-clock execution without Tatum. The Celtics lead the last five head-to-heads 3–2, underscoring that even in transition years they’ve matched up competitively with New York. Still, their 0–2 start to the season signaled the challenge of rebalancing creation and rim pressure without their superstar. The big question for bettors: Can Boston string together four disciplined quarters? That inconsistency is what’s kept them hovering around the middle of the East’s early ladder.
New York Knicks (away, Eastern Conference): The Knicks arrive 13–6 overall with a 3–5 road mark that’s steadily improving. They average 120.4 points per game while allowing 112.9—a robust +7.5 differential. On the road, they put up 116.5 and allow 116.4, effectively even in away gyms, which makes their late-game shot-making and defense the decider. Over the last five, New York is 4–1 and coming off a commanding home win over Toronto, where the bench energy and glass dominance were apparent. The Knicks’ starting five—Brunson, McBride, Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns—has clear two-way balance, and Josh Hart’s return brings second-unit rebounding and connective passing. Even with Mitchell Robinson out, the frontline has managed the interior through team rebounding and Anunoby’s help defense. New York sits in the East’s upper tier on merit: they defend the arc, pressure ball-handlers, and their pace-control on the road helps flatten home-court runs.
Keyplayer Statistics/Momentum/External Factors
Boston remains without Jayson Tatum, and Joe Mazzulla’s rotation leans on Jaylen Brown’s on-ball creation and Sam Hauser’s spacing. New York lists OG Anunoby as probable; he’s the primary wing stopper, and his availability is pivotal against Brown. Karl-Anthony Towns is managing a quad issue but continues to stretch bigs beyond the arc, opening lanes for Jalen Brunson. Josh Hart is back and brings hustle and boards with the second unit. Both teams have rested—New York hasn’t faced a back-to-back yet—and the rivalry spice remains from last postseason’s lopsided clincher that sent New York forward. Boston’s late-game lapses have appeared in bursts, but TD Garden often tightens its defense. Expect Mazzulla to mix coverages and try to speed Brunson. Pace should be moderate; the Knicks’ composure in the half-court is an edge.
Last direct match
New York took the last meeting by a double-digit margin, leveraging a dominant middle stretch to seize control and never really look back.
Performance last 5 Matches
- Boston Celtics: 3–2.
- New York Knicks: 4–1.
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TrustnBet Final Thoughts
Our read blends current form, matchup edges, and coaching context. We’re backing the Knicks in two ways—Moneyline and a short spread—because their two-way structure travels, and Brunson’s control in crunch time is a stabilizer. With Anunoby available and Hart’s activity boosting the bench, New York has the bodies to challenge Boston’s wing scoring and force secondary creators into tougher looks. On the total, we shade Under 226.5: the Knicks can drag games into the half court, and Boston’s offense—without Tatum’s late-clock shot diet—leans more variable in fourth quarters.
- Spread: Knicks to cover (projected -2 to -3), model probability 54%.
- Moneyline: Knicks ML at a 57% win probability.
- Total: Under 226.5 at 53% likelihood (fair line near -115).
Bottom line: New York’s defense plus late-game shot-making gives them the nudge, and if the game grinds into half-court, the Under follows. Boston’s home energy keeps this competitive, but the Knicks’ balance tips the betting value their way.
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