Sports content creator
Loading ...
It's another exciting Saturday as we gear up for a fierce rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. This time, the Celtics are set to take on the Knicks on their home turf at Madison Square Garden.
With a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, Boston is poised to matchup with New York twice more before the season concludes.
Sporting an impressive 44-12 record, the Celtics have demonstrated their prowess on the road with an 18-9 standing. Their last meeting with the Knicks resulted in a 108-104 victory on opening night.
On the other side, the New York Knicks hold a solid 34-22 record, notably excelling with a 19-8 performance at home. Despite contending with injuries sidelining several key players, let's take a look into the top player props and odds for this matchup.
Sara Jane has gathered all the essential data from reputable sports books and thorough research necessary to make well-informed betting decisions.
With that in mind, here are Sara Jane's preferred NBA prop bets set for Saturday, Feb 24, all taken as straight bets.
Odds are current as of Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. ET.
SJ's NBA record for the month of February: 32-38 + 14.2 units
PPG | FG | 3 PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20.1 | 52.5% | 36.2% | 84.6% | 6.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.9 |
Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis continues to demonstrate his importance to the team and head coach Joe Mazzulla's lineup. With an impressive average of more than 20 points per game across 41 appearances this season, Porzingis is poised for a significant matchup against the Knicks, who will be missing key players Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson due to injuries.
Scoring an impressive 22.4 points per game over the past ten matchups, Porzingis is set to take on a Knicks squad that ranks 29th defensively against centers. With Randle and Robinson sidelined, Porzingis will have ample opportunity to capitalize by stretching the floor and drawing Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein away from the basket.
Adding to the advantage, Hartenstein is returning from injury and is currently on limited minutes, as evidenced by his mere 11-minute outing against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
Porzingis has been in top form recently, sinking more than 1.5 three-pointers in each of his last six games. Despite the Knicks' reputation as a strong defensive unit, their perimeter defense allows opponents to shoot nearly 36.9 percent from beyond the arc, ranking them 18th in the league. Additionally, they permit an average of 12.8 three-point attempts per game.
If you're considering betting on this prop, it's worth noting that Porzingis has a perfect track record in the last five games against the Bulls, Nets, Heat, Wizards, and Hawks. In addition, this trend has hit the over mark in 11 out of the last 15 games.
Given Boston's roster with multiple players capable of attracting double teams, Porzingis has ample opportunity to stretch the floor and execute both the pick and roll and pick and pop plays with various teammates.
This prop is appealing for two reasons. Firstly, Porzingis has an impressive track record against the Knicks, consistently hitting this prop in six consecutive matchups.
Remarkably, across three games against New York this season, the Latvian native has maintained an average of 3.6 three-pointers made per game. Over the last six meetings, he has sustained an even higher average of four three-pointers made per game.
Porzingis has also showcased his efficiency on the road, successfully hitting this prop in four out of the last five away games.
Impressively, the Unicorn surpassed 1.5 three pointers made in the last two matchups specifically at Madison Square Garden, the most famous arena's in all of sports.
Averaging 1.8 three-pointers per game this season, making the current line fall below his season average. Furthermore, with some rest between games, Porzingis has demonstrated his ability to hit over 1.5 three pointers made in two straight matchups against New York.
Notably, he is enjoying his most productive month yet, averaging 23.1 points in just 28.1 minutes of play throughout February.
His increased minutes coincide with increased shot volume, averaging 15 field goal attempts and 5.2 three-point attempts per game over seven games this month.
Are you looking for other sports betting promotions? We have found the top sports betting promos and compiled them for your convenience.
PPG | FG | 3 PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15.8 | % | 36.2% | 84.6% | 6.9 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.9 |
I love this prop so much, even if the line is slightly juiced at -175 on DraftKings. Celtics guard Derrick White is playing some of the best ball of his career, especially on the defensive end. White gets the Knicks, who allow the 20th most blocks per game (5.3).
In his recent game against Chicago, White recorded three blocks, all of which occurred during the first quarter. It's a rare sight to witness a 6'4 guard like White blocking the 6'10 Bulls center, Nikola Vucevic. Leading his team in both steals and blocks, White showcased why many believe he deserved an All-Star nod.
As a potential candidate for the All-Defensive First Team, this line is slightly below his season average of 2.5 blocks. Throughout 52 games this season, White has averaged 1.9 blocks per game on his own.
A vital part of the Celtics backcourt, White has been a headache for opposing player defensively, and has been a juggernaut on defense against the Knicks this season.
It seems like White has been performing exceptionally well in terms of defensive stats, particularly against them. With his averages of 1.9 blocks per game and a combined 14 steals and blocks in the last six outings against the Knicks, he has demonstrated his defensive prowess.
Additionally, his performance against New York on December 8, where he accumulated four steals and blocks combined, further highlights his impact.
Considering the absence of key players like Robinson and Randle from the Knicks' lineup, White is expected to excel even more tonight. With a 73 percent hit rate this season and having recorded over 1.5 steals and blocks in seven of the last ten matchups, White appears to be in a prime position to dominate defensively against the Knicks once again.
Even on the road, White averages 2 blocks and steals per game, which is again higher than the line set tonight. In 24 road games, the guard is averaging 16 points, 1.3 blocks, and 0.7 steals.
I'm particularly keen on this proposition, especially given the Knicks' necessity to field a smaller lineup, with Josh Hart occupying the small forward position.
With a lack of size and depth in their frontcourt, New York has allowed over the steals prop for 9 out of the last 10 opposing players, including Tobias Harris and Jalen Green.
For those considering NBA wagers, White ranks second in blocks among guards and is poised to receive significant playing time against the Knicks. Regardless of the lineup, Tom Thibodeau's team typically exhibits strong defensive efforts against Boston. White is currently showcasing some of his finest basketball of the season, averaging over 31 minutes per game throughout February.
To further like this prop, Jalen Brunson has a tendency to turn the ball over nearly 2.5 times per game. This further supports my expectation that White will surpass his prop, especially against a Knicks team starting a three-guard lineup.
PPG | FG | 3 PT | FT | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | 47.5% | 44.3% | 82.4% | 5.8 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
One of my favorite props of the night, is Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics to dish out over 4.5 assists. Although the line is high, he's playing better basketball as of late, and faces a Knicks team that allow 25.9 assists per game.
Despite experiencing a decline in his distribution numbers this season, Holiday is currently enjoying his most productive month in terms of assists and overall facilitation. Furthermore, the Celtics have been performing exceptionally well since the all-star break, with their passing game notably more efficient.
Tonight's matchup against New York presents a promising opportunity for Holiday, as the Knicks have allowed six of the last eight opposing point guards to surpass their assist props. Given Holiday's recent uptick in facilitating and the Celtics' strong post-all-star break form, it's reasonable to anticipate him exceeding his assist prop in this game against the Knicks.
Holiday has been inconsistent in terms of scoring wise, and that is to be expected, especially with the amount of talent on the Celtics roster. With 23 assists in the last three games, I think this line is slightly low, especially since he averages more than 4.5 assists per game.
Boston will once ahead have a healthy starting five, which is a huge factor for his assist prop. With Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jaylen Brown, there are several players and options to facilitate to. Overall, Holiday is averaging 6.3 per 4o minutes on the season, and performed exceptionally well against the Knicks.
In six games against New York, Holiday has hit over this prop in four of then, including five on Dec. 8. Assists have great value in the NBA, and it's always been a solid prop I've been able to count on. While Jrue has increased his play, he's been incredible on the road. An average of 5.5 assists, which is an entire point above the current line on the road, I truly feel this is an extremely valuable prop.
Holiday's consistency on the road is truly remarkable. In 24 road games, he has surpassed this prop in an impressive 17 outings, including 9 of the last 10 away games.
Notably, he has achieved over 4.5 assists in six consecutive road games and has hit this prop in 12 out of 13 games away from Boston.
Considering his sensational performance on the road and his track record of exceeding this prop, even with the slight juicing of the line, the 4.5 line appears to be very appealing. Given Holiday's consistency and recent form, betting on him to surpass this prop seems like a solid choice. It's hard to fade him here.
Be sure to visit our Betting News Section to be informed about the latest events.
© 2005-2024 BALLISLIFE.COM - PO BOX 15355. IRVINE, CA 92623
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.