The 2026-27 NBA opening week continues with the Boston Celtics taking on the New York Knicks in Eastern Conference action on Friday night. The defending NBA champion Knicks and Celtics team are always in the championship mix looking to bounce back from opening night losses on Tuesday. The Celtics are 2.5-point favorites in the most recent Knicks vs. Celtics odds, with over/under at 220.5 points. Apply to Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55 here now and get a $55 bonus after $25 in arts:
Tipoff for the Celtics vs. The Knicks are set for 7 pm ET at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Ludisline tested computer model Knicks vs. Celtic explained and his Celtic vs. The Knicks have revealed their prediction, and you can read ours too. NBA betting preview for Friday’s matchup. Shout the latest Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS to get a $25 bonus after $10 in gear:
Celtics preview Knicks vs
Opening Night for the Champions League is always a dark evening, with parades and surroundings around the ring ceremonies, flag raising and overall looking back on the year that has been. On Friday, it was strictly off the basketball court for the Knicks in Boston after a 106-100 loss to the 76ers on Opening Night. The Knicks have almost their entire turnaround from their championship team, led by the duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Boston lost their opener to the Pistons, 121-113, on the road in their first appearance at the new Celtics after trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. Boston included the return of Paul George, who had 38 points against the Bakers. Jayson Tatum remains a force in Boston, although he struggled in the open with 13 points on 6 of 23 shooting. The Celtics are 2.5-point home favorites Friday, with the underdog at 220.5 points. Claim $200 in bonus bets and three free months of NBA League Pass with your first $5 bet at DraftKings here:
Celtics pick Pistons, best bets
- Celtics -2.5 (-115)
- Josh Hart Per 6.5 Rebounds (-145)
Celtics -2.5 (-115)
The Celtics went 30-11 at home last season, and split two games with the Knicks in Boston. The Celtics are 5-2 in Boston over the past three years against the Knicks, and Friday is their home opener, so they should have a big crowd behind them. Jayson Tatum shot 42% at home compared to 40% on the road last season. Boston had the NBA’s best defense allowing 107.2 points per game last season. The Boston Sportsline model involves the spread in 50% of simulations. Bet on the Knicks vs. Celtic with bet365 bonus CBSBET365 and $200 in bonus bets after betting $10:
Josh Hart Per 6.5 Rebounds (-145)
Hart averages 8.3 rebounds per game over 173 career games with the Knicks, and had seven rebounds in Tuesday’s opener. He had 14 rebounds in his first game against Boston last season and averaged seven rebounds per game over four contests against the Celtics last year. It remains an integral part of the rebounding strategy in New York, and the plus-money odds, the Harte Plus 6.5 rebound pattern on Friday, sees nice value. Model him for 8.3 rebounds against the Celtics. Use the BetMGM CBSSPORTS bonus to get up to $1,500 in bonus bets with the Celtics vs. Knicks: