New York Knicks (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (61-21, second in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -8.5; over/under is 213
EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND: Celtics host first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks to start the Eastern Conference second round. Boston went 4-0 against New York during the regular season. The Celtics won the last regular season meeting 119-117 in overtime on Tuesday, April 8 led by 34 points from Kristaps Porzingis, while Karl-Anthony Towns scored 34 points for the Knicks.
The Celtics are 14-2 against opponents in the Atlantic Division. Boston is 8-3 in one-possession games.
The Knicks are 12-4 against opponents from the Atlantic Division. New York ranks sixth in the NBA scoring 52.5 points per game in the paint led by Jalen Brunson averaging 13.3.
The Celtics are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, 1.2 percentage points lower than the 47.4% the Knicks allow to opponents. The Knicks are shooting 48.6% from the field, 3.6% higher than the 45.0% the Celtics’ opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and six assists for the Celtics. Payton Pritchard is averaging 14.5 points and 3.6 assists over the past 10 games.
Towns is averaging 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 107.4 points, 45.5 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 95.1 points per game.
Knicks: 5-5, averaging 108.6 points, 40.1 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 9.3 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.7 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Jrue Holiday: day to day (hamstring).
Knicks: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Read the full article here