Filip Tomic
We were just one De’Andre Hunter 3-pointer away from cashing last night’s Pacers vs Cavaliers Game 1 SGP, but we’re getting right back to it and I’m hoping to have that bit of luck go my way with today’s picks. I’m focusing on the series opener between New York and Boston, which tips off at 7:00 pm ET on live on TNT.
Let’s break down today’s Knicks vs Celtics Same Game Parlay picks, while you can also get our NBA picks on the side and total for Knicks vs Celtics, Nuggets vs Thunder and EVERY game of the postseason!
Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 points (-108)
Karl-Anthony Towns to record 10+ rebounds (-265)
Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-162)
Knicks vs Celtics Same Game Parlay odds: +301
If you want the best odds on our Knicks vs Celtics Same Game Parlay, make sure you use BetMGM. And if you’re new to BetMGM, even better! Simply click here to sign up now and you’ll receive $150 in bonus bets INSTANTLY if your first $10 wager is a winner.
Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 points (-108)
The Knicks had no answer for Tatum during the regular season as he dominated them in the 4 matchups by averaging 33.5 points. His shooting splits in those 4 games were 53.5% from the field and 47.8% from 3, and he also knocked down 80% of his free-throw attempts. And it’s been a similar story in the 4 postseason games so far, as Tatum is averaging 31.3 ppg. He had a slow start to the series with Orlando, scoring just 17 in the opener and injuring his wrist — which caused him to sit out Game 2.
There’s no reason for concern, though; the last 3 games in the series he scored 35+ points, which proves that there is no wrist injury and the Celtics can rely on their best player to carry them moving forward. New York’s defense struggled against much less talented wings in round 1 against Detroit, so I just don’t see how Tatum is contained. He has scored 30+ in 6 of 10 H2H meetings while averaging 30.5 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns to record 10+ rebounds (-265)
KAT’s rebounding has been consistent all year long. He wrapped up the regular season leading the Knicks in rebounds per game at 12.8, which ranked 2nd in the NBA. That number is slightly down after a grueling series with the Pistons, but Towns still averaged 10 boards per game in that matchup. He has cleared this line in back-to-back games; against Boston he averaged 12 during the 4 regular-season meetings, and at TD Garden that number was at 12.5 in 2 visits.
Towns and Kristaps Porzingis are very similar players, but the difference is the Knicks don’t have an adequate substitution for KAT — which will see him play way more minutes. Towns is averaging 9.9 rebounds per game in the last 10 meetings with the Latvian. Their duel down low could be the difference in the series. I expect KAT to be on top of his game in the series opener.
Now read our Nuggets vs Thunder Same Game Parlay picks for tonight’s other playoff matchup at +353 odds
Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-162)
Betting on Josh Hart to record 5 assists has yielded profit in all but one of his last 10 games. That streak unfortunately ended in the Game 6 win over Detroit, in which he had just 4 — but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look into backing him to get 5 in the series opener against Boston. Finding a bet that cashes 90% of the time at -162 odds isn’t easy these days, especially not for a player who averaged 6.9 assists per game over his last 10 games. In 37 road games this year he’s at 6.1 dimes per game, while against the Celtics he averaged 5.5 per game in the 4 meetings during the regular season.
Jalen Brunson spent a lot of energy in the series-clinching win over Detroit, but relying on him to score 40 points a night and carrying the Knicks to a win in this series is unrealistic. If New York wants this series to go the distance, others will have to step up — and since their bench is very thin, I expect the starters to log 40+ mins regularly. Last season Hart played 48 mins in the first 2 games of round 2 against Indiana while recording 8 and 7 assists. We can only hope that’s the case this time series, as well.
