Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to watch: TNT
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: PK; O/U 211
BetMGM: NL; O/U 210.5
Caesars: Celtics -1; O/U 210.5
Season record
Celtics: 18-20 (10th place, Eastern Conference)
Knicks: 18-20 (11th place, Eastern Conference)
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Celtics - Knicks preview and analysis
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Celtics: lost 99-97 vs. Spurs on Wednesday
Knicks: won 104-94 vs. Pacers on Tuesday
The Boston Celtics are back to full strength for the first time in a while, but the losing continues to be a problem. It's not a grand time for the New York Knicks, either, but you come to expect that at some point.
Boston and New York will meet on Thursday in a battle of Eastern Conference teams that are clinging to playoff positioning right now but should be way better than their records indicate.
The Celtics are playing the second game of a back-to-back after losing 99-97 to the San Antonio Spurs at home on Wednesday. The good news: Jayson Tatum made his return to the court after missing time due to health and safety protocols. The bad news is he shot 6 of 20 in his first game back.
Jaylen Brown continued his strong play with 30 points on 12 of 25 shooting, but the Celtics didn't have enough offense to propel past San Antonio in what was a historic day for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. The legendary coach manned his 2,000th NBA game.
Brown, who scored a career-high 50 points on Sunday in an overtime victory against the Orlando Magic, missed a game-tying layup at the buzzer that rolled off the rim.
"I smoked the layup," Brown said. "I had a good steal, was going against the clock. I just blew the layup. ... It's a tough loss. What can you say? We've got another game (Thursday)."
Boston did enough to win this game despite shooting just 9 of 28 from 3-point range and only attempting nine free throws. The Celtics shot 44 percent despite Tatum's off night; Dennis Schroder had 15 points on 7 of 14 as he continues to get back from COVID protocol.
Back-to-backs with travel, no matter if it's short from Boston to New York, are never fun. And even with Boston getting a short trip out of it, they still have to navigate through cold temperatures to New York on a short pit stop.
The Knicks are coming off a 104-94 win against the Indiana Pacers at home on Tuesday for their fourth win in six games. This is a home-and-home for the Knicks and Celtics with the series shifting to Boston on Saturday; New York plays six of its next eight at home.
RJ Barrett led with 32 points for the Knicks, while Julius Randle rediscovered his All-Star form with 30 points to go along with 16 rebounds against the Pacers' dangerous frontcourt. Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis combined for just 20 points.
It was Randle's first game since exiting health and safety protocol.
"With both guys the most important thing is them attacking the rim," New York coach Tom Thibodeau said. "The aggressiveness of RJ attacking the rim, and for Julius to do what he did today is just remarkable."
When both teams are healthy, this is a playoff matchup we can all get behind. The only downside is the Knicks not having Kemba Walker available; he'll miss another game due to a knee injury. The Knicks could have Nerlens Noel back, as he works his way back from COVID protocol. He is questionable.
The Celtics have virtually everyone back. Reserve guard Payton Pritchard is the only one in health and safety protocol.
Prediction
You know me if you've read this site enough: I'm very weary of back-to-backs with travel involved. Tatum played 38 minutes in his first game in almost two weeks and I think he needs more reps before getting back to form. The Knicks can take advantage with Randle looking like he did and Barrett attacking a tired Boston frontcourt. Knicks by 10
Betting trends
The over is 4-0 in the Celtics' last four when playing a SEGABABA.
The under is 6-0, however, in Boston's last six road games against a team with a losing record at home.
The under is 5-1 in the Knicks' last six games.
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in New York.
Projected starting lineup
Celtics:
PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Al Horford
C: Robert Williams III
Knicks:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson
Key injuries
Celtics: Payton Pritchard (COVID, out)
Knicks: Kemba Walker (knee, out), Derrick Rose (ankle, out), Nerlens Noel (conditioning, questionable)
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