The Boston Celtics start their 2021-22 NBA calendar with a bout against Eastern Conference rivals New York Knicks. First-year head coach Ime Udoka starts his run with the Celtics in front of a wild Madison Square Garden crowd, which should make for a more interesting contest. Both teams are coming off underwhelming playoff runs, and a clean slate should give them the energy they need to perform well this season.

That being said, NitroBetting starts things off with some of the best games to preview. Below, you get a closer look at the event’s details, notable team and player statistics, and the latest NBA betting odds. On top of that, we have timely betting trends and predictions that help you lock in on the best picks. Check out for more Basketball betting odds and lines at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

Celtics vs. Knicks Game Information

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— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 18, 2021

• When: Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 7:30 PM ET
• Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: WBZ-FM (Celtics) / 98.7 FM ESPN (Knicks)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Boston Celtics (+1.5) / New York Knicks (-1.5)

READ MORE: Nets vs. Bucks 2021 NBA Odds and Preview – October 20th, 2021

Why Bet on the Boston Celtics?

The Boston Celtics made big moves in the off-season to work their way up as championship dark horse contenders. True enough, the young core team combined with a handful of veterans make for a successful recipe in recent years.

Al Horford’s return to Boston means better depth in the frontcourt after looking vulnerable in this area last season. We should see significant improvement from 111.2 opponent points per game (11th in the league) with Horford’s presence. Meanwhile, Dennis Schroder should fill the point guard position well following Kemba Walker’s departure. Of course, we look forward to the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown doing much of the damage.

In their recent preseason run, the Celtics won two and lost two. They did well in the first two games, getting wins against the Magic and the Raptors, respectively. However, the momentum ended when they fell in the hands of the Magic next to a defeat to the Heat. In four games, the Celtics managed to score 100 points and over in three while allowing an average of 108 points per game.

Tatum’s improvement over the years makes him one of the biggest offensive threats in the league, and the Knicks’ defense will certainly feel the pressure on Wednesday night. Furthermore, the latest additions give new light to the team on the defensive side.

Why Bet on the New York Knicks?

The Knicks are one of the teams that exceeded expectations in the 2020-21 NBA regular season. After finishing fourth last year with Julius Randle and Derrick Rose at the help, the team made its first playoff appearance in eights years. They certainly punched above their weight class, but eventually succumbed to the pressure following a first-round exit.

This time around, the Knicks add more offensive-minded players into the mix such as Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, adding the team to the list of Conference Finals contenders. However, the departure of Reggie Bullock might leave a void too big to be filled. The shooting guard/small forward played a key role in holding their defense. In his absence, RJ Barrett is expected to play a bigger role on defense this year.

The Knicks gave up just 104.7 points per game last season. The defense should remain stingy for New York in Year 2 of Tom Thibodeau’s reign as head coach of the franchise.

In four preseason games, the Knicks found their way to an unbeaten streak. The team scored no less than 108 points in all four games while taking down the Pacers, Wizards, and Pistons in the process. It is not uncommon for preseason games to have high totals, but the Knicks managed to hold their opponents to 104 points or less. This is an acceptable number considering the lack of defense we see from teams in this stage of the season.

Celtics vs. Knicks Betting Trends

• The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 road games against the Knicks.
• The Celtics are 7-3 against the spread in their last game against the Knicks.
• The totals went over in 3 of the Celtics’ last 10 games against the Knicks.
• The Knicks are 7-3 in their last 10 home games.
• The Knicks are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 home games.
• The totals went under in 4 of the Knicks’ last 5 home games against the Celtics.

Celtics vs. Knicks Expert Betting Prediction

On paper, the Kicks have the better offense, but the Celtics should be able to bite back. However, Al Horford’s potential absence can hit the team hard, giving them the edge on Wednesday night. Jayson Tatum can keep things close given his ability to win games on his own, and the Celtics can threaten to cover the spread and even take the narrow win. But we won’t see the Knicks holding back either, making this a must-watch game for all basketball and betting fans. If they start firing on all cylinders and gel on the court real fast, then the visitors might even be in trouble.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at NitroBetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.