The Boston Celtics will open their season at Madison Square Garden as they face the New York Knicks. We're here to share our NBA odds series, make a Celtics-Knicks prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

The Celtics will look to start the season on the right note as they head to the Garden to face the Knicks. Therefore, coach Joe Mazzulla hopes to implement a better system in his second year as head coach against the Celtics. Jayson Tatum is back after averaging 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in 2022-2023. Additionally, Jaylen Brown returns to help him after averaging 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Jrue Holiday is the new guy in town after he averaged 19.3 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent, including 38.4 percent from the triples, during his last season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Celtics also added Kristaps Porzingis to man the middle, and he averaged 23.3 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 49.8 percent from the field last season with the Washington Wizards. Furthermore, Derrick White is back, and he averaged 12.4 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field. Al Horford averaged 9.8 points with 6.2 rebounds per game while also shooting 47.6 percent, including 44.6 percent from beyond the arc.

The Knicks will look to start the season with a win over their divisional rivals. First, Jalen Brunson is back after averaging 24 points and 6.2 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field. Julius Randle averaged 25.1 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. Likewise, RJ Barrett averaged 19.6 points per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field. Immanuel Quickley averaged 14.9 points per game while shooting 44.8 percent. Additionally, Josh Hart came off the bench to shoot 10.2 points while shooting 58.6 percent from the field, including 51.9 percent from the 3-point line.

The Knicks won the 2022-2023 season series 3-1. Additionally, they have gone 7-4 over the past 11 games, and are 4-1 over the past five games at the Garden.

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Odds: Celtics-Knicks Odds

Boston Celtics: -3.5 (-112)

New York Knicks: +3.5 (-108)

Over: 224.5 (-110)

Under: 224.5 (-110)

How to Watch Celtics vs. Knicks

Time: 7:10 PM ET/4:10 PM PT

TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, NBA TV and NBC Sports Boston

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread

The Celtics had trouble beating the Knicks last season, and it all started with how their offense performed. When the offense thrived, they won. When the offense struggled, they lost, which happened three times.

Tatum has averaged 22.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in 20 games with the Knicks. Furthermore, he averaged 28.8 points, nine rebounds, and six assists over four games against the Knicks last season. Brown has averaged 20 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in 22 career games against the Knicks. Additionally, he averaged 28.8 points, nine rebounds, and six assists per game over four games with the Knicks last season.

The Celtics shot 53 percent from the field in the lone win against the Knicks. Also, they shot 52 percent from the triples in that game. But the Celtics struggled to shoot in the losses. One example was the 109-94 loss to the Knicks, where they shot 44 percent from the field, including 21.4 percent from the 3-point line.

The Celtics will cover the spread if they can hit their shots from the field. Ultimately, they need Tatum and Brown to convert their opportunities while Porzingis and Holiday contribute.

Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread

The Knicks had a great season. Now, they look to replicate that effort and start strong against the Celtics. They certainly have the offensive playmakers to do so while having the home crowd behind them.

Brunson has averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.7 assists in his career against the Celtics. Meanwhile, Randle has averaged 20.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game over 21 games against the Celtics. Barrett has averaged 20.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in his career against the Celtics. However, the man who will likely create a major impact is Quickley. He was an integral factor in the 131-129 overtime win last season, leading the charge with 38 points.

The Knicks shot 47 percent from the field in the win at the Garden while winning the board battle 44-35. Conversely, their defense struggled in the loss. The defense will be the major factor for the Knicks.

The Knicks will cover the spread if they can get scoring from their top players. Then, their defense must clamp down on Tatum and Brown, forcing them to take bad shots.

Final Celtics-Knicks Prediction & Pick

The Knicks covered the spread in one of the two games at the Garden while covering both in Boston. Also, the over prediction hit three times. Look for the Knicks to cover the spread in a high-scoring game.

Final Celtics-Knicks Prediction & Pick: New York Knicks: +3.5 (-108)