Filip Tomic
The Boston Celtics are up against it in Game 3 of their East semi-final series vs the New York Knicks. Game 3 tips-off is set for 3.30 pm ET on TNT, I’ve come up with a +329 odds Same Game Parlay to enhance your viewing experience.
Get predictions on the side and total for all NBA postseason games on our NBA Picks page but now let’s get into my Celtics vs Knicks Game 3 bet!
BOS Celtics ML (-240)
Over 206 Total Points (-110)
Jayson Tatum to Score 30+ Points (+124)
Same Game Parlay odds: +329
BOS Celtics ML (-240)
Less than 15% of teams down 2-0 after losing two home games in a best-of-7 series have been able to turn it around, but if anyone can do it it’s the defending champion Boston Celtics. The main reason the Cs have lost both home games in this series has been their woeful effort shooting the three-ball. Through two games they are making just 25% of shots, while attempting an absurd amount. Just in Game 1 they attempted 60 threes, missing 45 of them which set an all-time negative record for missed threes in an NBA postseason game.
The good thing is there’s still room to maneuver if you’re the Celtics, players like Tatum, Brown and others haven’t even scratched the surface of what they’re capable of and the two losses were by just 3 and 1 points. Game 3 needs a completely different approach, something similar we saw Cleveland do in their Game 3 win over Indiana on Friday. We all saw what Jalen Brunson is capable of doing in the clutch, so the Cs would be smart to have this thing wrapped up before we get into crunch time. New York has won more road games than those at MSG this postseason, going up against a team that went 33-8 SU in the regular season in away games will be tough. I’m counting on Boston to show up here, otherwise they’ll be down 3-0.
Read our full Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks Game 3 Predictions
Over 206 Total Points (-110)
While it was the excellent defense of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges that ultimately proved to be the difference in each of the first 2 games, the Celtics should get back on track in a spot where they’re due for some major shooting regression. After all, Boston shot just 36 percent from the field and just 25 percent from beyond the arc en route to a measly 90-point effort in Game 2. That makes the Celtics just 25-of-100 on threes over the last 2 contests, which is the worst stretch of their season from deep.
With that in mind, if the Celtics are able to focus on getting 2 feet in the paint on most possessions — which should lead to better looks from beyond the arc — the outside shots will start to fall for Boston and the offense will develop a rhythm that the Knicks middling defense will struggle mightily to stop. On the other side, Brunson and the Knicks offense should get a major boost at home following a Game 2 effort that was well below their standard for the majority of the contest. All things considered, I’ll back the over in Game 3.
Jayson Tatum to Score 30+ Points (+124)
After 3 consecutive 35+ point performances in the Orlando series, Tatum has had a rough start against the Knicks scoring just 23 and 13 in the two games at TD Garden. With the series now moving to New York for the next two games, it’s time for Tatum to back up his words with so many people raising doubt about his superstar status. JT averaged more points per game (27.7) on the road than at home (25.9) during the regular season, with his efficiency going up across the board. He also loves the bright lights of MSG, in his past 10 visits he’s averaging 26.6 points per game there, scoring at least 30 in 5 of them. He’s on a streak of back-to-back 30+ games there, with the likes of Porzingis, Brown and Holiday not showing up offensively, Tatum needs to assert himself early here and carry the Celtics to one of their biggest wins of the season.
