It is possible to have an NBA game in the final week of the season where both teams care and have incentive to win.
It may be rare, but that is very much the case tonight with the Boston Celtics heading to face the New York Knicks with hopes of clinching the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
My Celtics vs. Knicks predictions and these NBA picks are glad to consider legitimate rotations in a game with real stakes on Thursday, April 9.
Celtics vs Knicks prediction
Celtics vs Knicks best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points (-115)
While the Boston Celtics are just about locked in as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks could technically still catch them. That would require the Celtics to lose out and the Knicks to finish 3-0, but neither thought is impossible.
So, for once this week, both teams may play genuine basketball with their actual rotations.
Perhaps more earnestly, New York has to worry about Cleveland snagging the No. 3 seed, and Boston has to continue reintegrating Jayson Tatum into the lineup. His 15 games thus far have been quite impressive, but the Celtics should want even more consistency before the playoffs.
It very well may be Tatum is firmly the No. 2 option for Boston all spring behind Jaylen Brown. Brown’s 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season deserve more praise. He took a team expected to meander and has it firmly in the No. 2 spot in the East. Brown gave Tatum reason to return, and that made the Celtics the Eastern Conference favorites (+165 at bet365).
Brown has cleared this prop in eight of his last 10 games, both exceptions coming by merely the hook. That kind of production should be immune to New York’s slowed pace, particularly since Boston works at nearly as slow a tempo by default.
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Celtics vs Knicks same-game parlay
What Jayson Tatum is doing is somewhat absurd. This is not to take away from his recovery or subsequent production. But he is shooting just 41.9% from the field and 33.8% from deep, while averaging 21.6 points. He has cleared this prop only three times in his 15 games back.
Tatum is, understandably, more focused on rebounds and assists than points currently, which should serve to further boost Brown.
Taking this first-half Under is entirely an acknowledgement that these are the two slowest teams in the NBA.
Celtics vs Knicks SGP
- Jaylen Brown Over 26.5 points
- Jayson Tatum Under 24.5 points
- First Half Under 111.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Tatum's Intentional Choices
This may look absurd, but realize Tatum has cashed this exact same-game parlay once in his last three games and came a point away from doing so an additional time in his last four games.
He is not driving with abandon. Instead, he is pulling up from deep, albeit with inconsistent results, while looking to impact the game beyond scoring.
Celtics vs Knicks SGP
- Jayson Tatum Under 24.5 points
- Jayson Tatum Over 3.5 3-pointers
- Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds
- Jayson Tatum Over 5.5 assists
Celtics vs Knicks odds
- Spread: Boston +4.5 | New York -4.5
- Moneyline: Boston +155 | New York -185
- Over/Under: Over 216.5 | Under 216.5
Celtics vs Knicks betting trend to know
Boston has gone 10-5 against the spread this season with Jayson Tatum in the lineup. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Knicks.
How to watch Celtics vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Thursday, April 9, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video, MSG |
Celtics vs Knicks latest injuries
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