Knicks vs Celtics Prediction, Picks & Odds For October 23, 2026

Up 22 points with 20 minutes to play, Boston looked to have its season opener wrapped up in Detroit. Then the Pistons outscored the Celtics 71-41 the rest of the way, and the questions about Joe Mazzulla’s three-point-heavy approach grew louder.

Now the Celtics welcome a New York team that went 3-1 straight up and against the spread in last season’s series and held Boston to just 103.3 points per game in those meetings.

The Knicks dropped their own opener on ring night, but nothing about that loss suggested anything was off. Our Knicks vs Celtics prediction breaks down the line movement, the defensive matchup and why New York is the side to back in this Atlantic Division clash. For more NBA picks, check out our full board before tipoff.

Knicks vs Celtics Quick Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick: New York moneyline
Spread Pick: New York +2.5 (-105)
Total Pick: Under 222.5 (-108)
Projected Final Score: Knicks 111, Celtics 106

Odds and Line Movement for Knicks vs Celtics

Boston has been a 2.5-point favorite since opening, with only the juice moving, while the total has dipped from 223.5 to 222.5. Follow every adjustment on our live odds page leading up to tipoff.

Opening Odds

Team	Spread	Total
New York	+2.5 (-110)	Over 223.5 (-110)
Boston	-2.5 (-110)	Under 223.5 (-110)

Current Odds

Team	Spread	Total
New York	+2.5 (-105)	Over 222.5 (-112)
Boston	-2.5 (-115)	Under 222.5 (-108)

Line Movement – Spread

Date	New York	Boston
10/23	+2.5 (-105)	-2.5 (-115)
10/23	+2.5 (-110)	-2.5 (-110)
10/22	+2.5 (-115)	-2.5 (-105)
10/21	+2.5 (-110)	-2.5 (-110)

The spread has not moved off 2.5, though the juice has swung both ways. Boston has been the public’s choice from the start, holding 84 percent of the money and 63 percent of the tickets in the latest update. Despite that one-sided support, the number has refused to climb to 3, which keeps New York in a favorable spot.

Line Movement – Total

Date	Over	Under
10/23	222.5 (-112)	222.5 (-108)
10/23	222.5 (-115)	222.5 (-105)
10/23	223.5 (-112)	223.5 (-108)
10/23	223.5 (-105)	223.5 (-115)
10/23	223.5 (-110)	223.5 (-110)
10/23	223.5 (-115)	223.5 (-105)
10/23	224.5 (-105)	224.5 (-115)
10/23	223.5 (-115)	223.5 (-105)
10/23	224.5 (-105)	224.5 (-115)
10/22	223.5 (-115)	223.5 (-105)
10/22	224.5 (-105)	224.5 (-115)
10/21	223.5 (-110)	223.5 (-110)

The total bounced between 223.5 and 224.5 several times before falling to 222.5. That drop came even though the over has drawn 100 percent of the money and 95 percent of the tickets, a clear case of the number moving against the public.

Knicks vs Celtics Key Matchups and Handicap

New York Owned Last Season’s Series

New York went 3-1 straight up and against the spread in this Atlantic Division matchup last season. The Knicks’ defense handled Boston’s three-point-heavy approach well, holding the Celtics to an average of 103.3 points per game across those four contests. That track record gives New York a proven defensive blueprint heading into this meeting.

Celtics Collapse in Detroit

Boston’s opener was a painful one. The Celtics led the Pistons 72-50 with 20 minutes remaining but were outscored 71-41 the rest of the way. Paul George made a strong first impression in his Boston debut, scoring 38 points and hitting 7 of 12 shots from three-point range, but it was not enough to prevent the collapse.

Boston’s Three-Point Reliance Under Scrutiny

Boston’s style has not changed under head coach Joe Mazzulla, and the Celtics’ faithful are starting to question that three-point-heavy approach, especially after it failed to protect a 22-point second-half lead. Boston took 42 of its 88 field goal attempts from beyond the arc against Detroit. Against a New York defense that contained that approach last season, the Celtics’ reliance on the three could become a liability again.

New York Played Better Than the Result

The Knicks are disappointed they could not deliver on ring night, but they played perfectly fine in the loss to Philadelphia. Neither team led by more than 10 points, and the two sides traded haymakers all evening before the Sixers landed a couple of late blows to steal the win. There was nothing in that game to suggest something was not clicking for New York.

Knicks Know Mitchell Robinson Best

One of the most interesting storylines is how New York defends new Celtics center Mitchell Robinson. The former Knick had a rough debut for Boston, and New York should have the best possible scouting report on him after he spent the last eight seasons with the franchise. That familiarity could help the Knicks neutralize one of Boston’s newest pieces.

NYK vs BOS Betting Trends

New York went 3-1 straight up and 3-1 against the spread against Boston last season.
New York held Boston to 103.3 points per game across last season’s four meetings.
Boston blew a 22-point lead in Detroit, getting outscored 71-41 over the final 20 minutes.
Boston attempted 42 of its 88 field goals from three-point range against the Pistons.
Neither New York nor Philadelphia led by more than 10 points in the Knicks’ opener.
Boston holds 84 percent of the spread money and 63 percent of the tickets, yet the line has stayed at 2.5.
The total dropped from 223.5 to 222.5 despite 100 percent of the money and 95 percent of the tickets on the over.

NYK vs BOS Key Injuries and Notes

Boston’s Paul George scored 38 points with seven three-pointers in his Celtics debut.
Boston center Mitchell Robinson, a Knick for the last eight seasons, struggled in his Celtics debut.
Both teams lost their season openers, Boston at Detroit and New York at home against Philadelphia.
Boston has continued its three-point-heavy approach under head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Check final injury reports before tipoff, as late news could push this spread to the key number of 3.

Knicks vs Celtics ATS and Total Picks

Knicks +2.5 Spread Pick

New York dominated this matchup last season and enters with a defensive plan that has already proven effective against Boston’s style. The Knicks played well in a tight opening-night loss, while the Celtics are coming off a collapse that raised serious questions about their approach. New York also has the inside track on how to defend Robinson. With the public leaning heavily on Boston and the line holding at 2.5, the Knicks are worth backing with the points and on the moneyline.

Pick: New York +2.5 (-105)

NYK vs BOS Under Pick

The Knicks held Boston to 103.3 points per game last season, and nothing about the Celtics’ approach has changed. If New York contains the three-point barrage again, scoring should be limited. The total has also dropped a point despite nearly all of the money and tickets on the over, a sign the market respects the under in this matchup.

Pick: Under 222.5 (-108)

Knicks vs Celtics Best Bets

Best Bet: New York +2.5 (-105)
Moneyline: New York to win outright
Total: Under 222.5 (-108)

The top play is New York with the points. The Knicks owned this series last season, their defense matches up well against Boston’s three-point volume, and they know Mitchell Robinson better than anyone. With a short spread, the New York moneyline offers a strong alternative, and the Knicks’ defensive success against the Celtics makes the under a natural complement.

Final Score Prediction for Knicks vs Celtics

New York’s defense runs Boston off the three-point line often enough to keep the Celtics’ offense out of rhythm, and the Knicks make the bigger plays down the stretch. Boston stays close behind another strong performance from George, but New York bounces back from its opener with a road-tested win.