Celtics vs. Knicks Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for March 5 (Contenders Trade Buckets in High-Scoring Game)

Celtics vs. Knicks Game Info

• Date: Sunday, March 5, 2023
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: TD Garden -- Boston, Massachusetts
• Coverage: ESPN and NBCS-BOS

The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Sunday with 10 more games, including a battle between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. The Knicks rank fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 38-27 record, while the Celtics check in second with a 45-19 record. This should be a thrilling matchup.

New York enters on an eight-game winning streak that includes a 122-120 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday. Meanwhile, Boston has won four of its last six games but couldn't get the job done in a 115-105 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Which NBA title contender will win on Sunday night? Let's dig in.

Celtics vs. Knicks Odds & Spread

• All NBA betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: BOS: (-235) | NYK: (+194)
• Spread: BOS: -6.5 (-108) | NYK: +6.5 (-112)
• Total: 226 -- Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

The Celtics enter this contest as notable home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 7:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 226 points, which is below average compared to Sunday's projected totals.

Celtics vs Knicks Betting Information

Favorite	Spread	Favorite Spread Odds	Underdog Spread Odds	Total	Over Total Odds	Under Total Odds	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline
Celtics	-5	-	-	226.5	-110	-110	-205	172

Celtics vs. Knicks Betting Trends

• The Celtics have put together a 28-29-4 record against the spread this season.
• The Knicks are 3-3-1 ATS when underdogs by 5 points or more this year.
• Games involving the Celtics have hit the over 30 times this season.
• Knicks games this year have gone over the total in 33 of 61 opportunities (54.1%).
• Against the spread, Boston has performed better at home, covering 15 times in 31 home games, and 13 times in 30 road games.
• New York's winning percentage against the spread at home is .469 (15-16-1). Away, it is .690 (20-9-0).

Celtics vs. Knicks Prediction & Pick

Boston was ahead by as much as 28 points in the first half against Brooklyn before it slowly let the lead slip away. It was a concerning effort, but one that can be forgotten about with a bounce-back win on Sunday. The Celtics own a stellar 25-8 home record with a +9.3 average scoring margin, anyways.

There's no denying that New York is hot right now, but it is still a team that ranks 22nd in shooting percentage (46.6%) and 15th in points in the paint per away game (49.6). That is not going to cut it against a Boston squad that ranks sixth in defensive efficiency and has the home crowd on its side.

Boston has won 11 of its last 15 home games against New York, so back the Celtics on Sunday.

Final Score Prediction: Celtics: 119 | Knicks: 114

Celtics vs. Knicks Best Bet

This is a battle between two defensive juggernauts, but that doesn't mean backing the under is the way to go here. After all, the total has hit the over in six of the last nine games overall for both New York and Boston. The over has also cashed in five of the last seven matchups between these squads.

Boston is putting up an impressive 120.6 points per home game (No. 3 in NBA), while New York is logging 113.8 points per away game (No. 11 in NBA). The Celtics have to have a sour taste in their mouths thanks to an earlier loss to the Knicks, so I expect their foot to stay on the gas in this one.

Bet: Over 226 Total Points (-110)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.