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: Knicks -5.5 (-110)
The idea of “legitimate rotations” took a blow Thursday afternoon when the Boston Celtics ruled out Jaylen Brown due to left Achilles tendinitis.
If any franchise has reason to worry about an aching Achilles, it is the team surprised and thrilled by Jayson Tatum’s quick return from a torn Achilles.
Brown had been officially questionable, but instinct said he would play. This line moving by just a point in his absence is the rarely seen underreaction when a superstar is sidelined.
Yours truly diligently preaches, “Buy on bad news, sell on good.” But that approach is intended to run counter to overreactions. Siding with the New York Knicks tonight may be the exception that proves the rule.
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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.
Taking this first-half Under is entirely an acknowledgement that these are the two slowest teams in the NBA.
Celtics vs Knicks SGP
- Knicks -5.5
- Jayson Tatum Under 25.5 Points
- First Half Under 110
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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