Knicks Have Won 5 In A Row 🍎

The Knicks have been red hot in recent weeks, but they'll face a tall task vs. this dominant Celtics squad. Will Boston break New York's five game winning streak? Expect the Garden to be absolutely buzzing 🏀 (3 min read)

Author

Nate Hartnick
February 27, 2023

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Great NBA Rivalry

The division rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks dates back to the earliest days of basketball, although the battle has been rather lopsided in recent years. Boston has been the picture of consistent excellence, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals in four of the past six seasons. New York, on the other hand, hasn't made the Conference Finals since 2000, and their last playoff series win was in 2013...vs Boston 😳

Things are looking up for the Knicks this year, as the acquisition of elite lead guard Jalen Brunson has transformed the team's offense. Julius Randle is back in All-Star form after a disastrous campaign last year, averaging over 25 PPG ⭐️

  • Despite emerging as a legitimate playoff squad this season, the Knicks are still looking up at the juggernaut in Boston

The Celtics have looked like the best team in the league for the majority of the season, as Boston possesses perhaps the league's premiere duo in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, complimented by crazy depth at basically every position. New York has won five straight, but can they slow down Boston? ☘️

  • Spread: Celtics -2.5

  • Moneyline: Celtics -138 (bet $138, win $100), Knicks +118 (bet $100, win $118)

  • O/U: 223.5

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Riding High

Tatum and Brown have only built on last year's playoff run, entering historic territory this season. They're averaging the third most points of any duo in the past twenty seasons, behind only Harden and Westbrook in 2020 and Shaq and Kobe in 2003. Boston has surrounded these versatile two-way wings with a litany of quality role players, from reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to the consistently dependable veteran Al Horford 💪

  • Boston's second unit is captained by Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White, two guards who would be starters for many squads in the league

  • The Celtics are coming off of a thrilling win vs. another division rival in Philadelphia, which concluded with one of the wildest sequences in recent memory 👀

The Knicks may sit well behind Boston in the Eastern Conference standings (9.5 games), but they've undeniably surpassed all expectations this season. After not even sniffing the playoffs last year, they currently sit tied for fifth in the East with the Nets. Brunson's arrival has clearly galvanized the squad and provided the catalyst for their dramatic improvement — the fifth year guard is blowing away his previous career highs in points and assists 📈

  • Brunson has thrived in his expanded role in New York, fitting in seamlessly alongside Randle (his time with Luka in Dallas gave him experience playing with a ball-dominant forward)

  • The Knicks acquired Brunson's college teammate Josh Hart at the trade deadline, and have rattled off five straight wins since reuniting the Villanova buddies

After so many down years in New York the past couple of decades, it's great to see the Garden rocking again 🍎

Trivia Question: Julius Randle has been an All-Star in two of the past three seasons — who was the last Knick All-Star before him?

Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images

For My Parlay Gurus

New York may not hold much of a chance vs. Boston in a potential playoff matchup, but I like their odds in this game. They've found a winning formula with Hart in the fold, and are clicking on all cylinders right now. I like the Knicks to score a huge victory over the Celtics in a down-to-the-wire thriller, powered by another big night from Brunson 👇

  • Knicks +2.5 vs. Celtics: -110

  • Sixers -6 vs. Heat: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

Want more sports content from Overtime? Check us out on TikTok 🗣Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Join thousands of other informed subscribers

Trivia Answer: Kristaps Porzingis was the last Knick to be named an All-Star, back in the 2018 season 🦄

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Many will enter, only some will win. Giveaway ends 12 hours after the completion of the final game references within the giveaway. The winner will be notified via the email address used to enter. Restrictions apply. See the General Conditions and Releases sections of Overtime's Terms of Use at https://overtime.tv/terms for additional giveaway terms©2023 Overtime Sports, Inc. All rights reserved.