Knicks vs. Celtics prediction, odds, line, spread: 2024 NBA Opening Night picks from expert on 38-17 roll

The NBA regular season is finally back after four months away. The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference showdown during the 2024 NBA Opening Night on Tuesday. The Celtics went 64-18 in the regular season and had the best record in the league. They went on to beat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals to capture their 18th championship. As for New York, the Knicks were 50-32 and secured the second seed in the East. They were eliminated in the second round of the postseason.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Boston is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Knicks vs. Celtics odds. The over/under for total points is set at 222.5. Before locking in any Celtics vs. Knicks picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall, considering his mastery of picks involving New York.

For years Vegas-based Marshall was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter. With a background in play-by-play work and sports information while in college, Marshall joined TGS in 1981 when hired by the legendary Mort Olshan and served as executive editor for many years. 

An in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country, Bruce’s vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects. Bruce also enters this NBA season on an 38-17 roll (+1936) on his last 55 Knicks picks. Anyone who followed at their favorite sports betting site and betting apps is way up.

Now, Marshall has locked in on Knicks vs. Celtics and just revealed his coveted NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Knicks vs. Celtics.

• Knicks vs. Celtics spread: Boston -5.5
• Knicks vs. Celtics over/under: 222.5 points
• Knicks vs. Celtics money line: Boston -225, New York +185
• NYK: The Knicks have hit the game Over in 21 of their last 28 games
• BOS: The Celtics have hit the 1H money line in 40 of their last 49 games
• Knicks vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
• Knicks vs. Celtics streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)

Why the Knicks can cover

The Knicks weren’t content this offseason as they went out and acquired Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. This gives them more athleticism, defense and scoring. Towns is an athletic big man who can space the floor as a shooter, but can also put the ball on the floor. Last season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot 41% from downtown.

Guard Jalen Brunson is still the engine for this team. Brunson is a three-level scorer, ball handler and playmaker in the backcourt. During the 2023-24 season in New York, he averaged a career-high 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. In addition, Brunson made 40.1% of his 3-point attempts. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the Celtics can cover

The Celtics have one of the best duos in the NBA. Forward Jayson Tatum is one of the top players in the league at his position. The Duke product can score from anywhere on the court with an effortless shooting stroke. During the 2023-24 regular season, Tatum logged 26.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. 

Guard Jaylen Brown is another difference-maker. Brown gets downhill with no problem and can also stretch the court. The three-time All-Star also showed he can step up in high-pressure stakes. In the NBA Finals vs. the Mavericks, Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and five assists per game. He scored 20-plus in four of the five games played, en route to winning NBA Finals MVP. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Knicks vs. Celtics picks

Marshall has analyzed Knicks vs. Celtics from every possible angle, and while we can tell you he’s leaning Under the total, he has also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. Find out what it is, and which team to back, at SportsLine. 

So who wins Knicks vs. Celtics on Opening Night, and what critical x-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Knicks vs. Celtics spread to back, all from the expert who is 38-17 on picks involving New York, and find out.