Knicks vs Celtics Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – NBA 24 October

If you’re into NBA betting in NZ, Knicks vs Celtics is the pick of Saturday’s games. The New York Knicks visit the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Saturday 24 October, with tip-off at 12:00pm NZT.

Both rivals are chasing a first win. The champions lost on ring night, and Boston blew a 22-point lead in Detroit. It’s also the Celtics’ first regular-season home game since they traded Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. I’m not sure which Celtics side turns up.

Odds from Betya, correct at 10:00am NZT 22 October. Subject to change.

New York Knicks

Last game: L 100-106 v 76ers · 2025-26 record: 53-29 · ATS 2025-26 (incl. playoffs): 58-44

I’m not too fussed about Tuesday’s loss. Karl-Anthony Towns picked up two fouls in the first four minutes and played just 24 minutes, and Jalen Brunson went 6-of-19. New York still only lost by six, and they led by 10 in the first half.

Andre Drummond was a bonus off the bench with 12 points and 14 rebounds. My worry is their half-court offence late in games, as they scored on just two of their final eight possessions.

Boston Celtics

Last game: L 113-121 at Pistons · 2025-26 record: 56-26 · ATS 2025-26 (incl. playoffs): 51-38

Their collapse in Detroit bothers me more than Jayson Tatum’s 6-of-23 night. The Pistons went on a 23-0 run, and the Celtics had no answer, much like when they let a 3-1 lead slip against Philadelphia in the first round last season.

Paul George did his part with 38 points, a Celtics record for a debut. Mitchell Robinson now starts at centre against his old club, and I expect him to go hard after Towns on the glass.

(1) Carter has mononucleosis and missed the opener in Detroit. ESPN has his estimated return as 8 November.

Carter is a bench guard, so his absence doesn’t change my bet, and the Knicks had no one listed at the time of writing.

The Knicks won last season’s regular-season series 3-1, including a 111-89 win at TD Garden.

• Totals trend – Three of last season’s four meetings finished under 223.5 points.
• Team trend – The Knicks went 16-5 ATS against Atlantic Division rivals last season.
• Celtics trend – Boston were 9-14 ATS against division rivals over the same stretch.
• Player trend – Brunson led the 2026 playoffs in scoring at 28.4 points a game.

I’m backing the Knicks, although I tipped them on Tuesday and that didn’t go to plan. Brunson won’t shoot 6-of-19 twice in a row, and Towns can’t be in foul trouble every week.

Boston were 30-11 at home last season, but they look short of a second creator without Brown. A big Tatum game is the main risk, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see one. Neither side has a rest edge, as both teams played on Tuesday.

I’d also add the Under to your NBA best bets this weekend, with the Knicks’ opener finishing on just 206 points. Towns and Drummond should also get more room against Robinson than they had against Joel Embiid.

My prediction: Knicks 109-105.

Knicks +2.5 Line – $1.91

I’d rather take the points than back New York at $2.14 on the Moneyline. Boston have lost their second-best scorer, and Tatum doesn’t look back to his best yet.

Getting 2.5 points with the champions in a game this close feels like value to me, even after Tuesday.

You can back Knicks +2.5 at $1.91 with Betya, one of the newer betting sites NZ punters have access to.

Play to: $1.80

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