High-Scoring Knicks Visit Defending Champion Celtics

The Dallas Mavericks 124-114 in overtime at home.

The Milwaukee Bucks 102-97, also in overtime.

Now, both longtime rivals will look to pick up a win for fans and BetUS NBA sports betting enthusiasts everywhere when the teams battle tonight at Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden.

Zach Randolph scored 27 points to lead six Knicks players in double digit scoring, but the team allowed Mavericks forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard to each score over 30 points while pulling down at least 10 rebounds.

"We could have won the game," Randolph said. "We had a chance to win the game. But the ball won't fall for us. There's nights like this. We've just got to keep our head up and keep going."

The Celtics got 28 points from Paul Pierce and 27 points from Ray Allen but will be without the third member of their ‘Big Three’ as forward Kevin Garnett sits out tonight as part of a one-game suspension for a flare-up with Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut on Saturday.

"It was touch and go for a moment there because we couldn't score," Allen said. "We couldn't get in a rhythm, but Paul got going and the free throw line saved us in overtime."

New York is off to its best 10-game start since 2000-01.

"They're putting a ton of points on the board so we're going to have to have a hell of a defensive night," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told his team's official Web site.

Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.

The Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

The Knicks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.

The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.

The Over is 5-1 in Knicks last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Over is 6-0 in Celtics last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

The Favorite is 4-0-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

The Knicks are 2-5-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Boston.

The Road team is 8-2-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

NBA Odds

New York Knicks +8 -110

Boston Celtics -8 -110

Over 204 -110

Under 204 -110

Analysis: I know the Celtics are the better team by far in this matchup, but I like the Knicks to cover the spread narrowly. I know they won’t play much defense this season, but the Knicks have shown they can score against just about any teams under D’Antoni. Take the Knicks and the Under NBA Sportsbook bettors.

NBA Free Picks: New York +8 Points/Under 204 Total Points