Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks prediction: Boston Celtics tipped to edge it (58.1%)
NBA sees Boston Celtics face New York Knicks at TD Garden. The model makes Boston Celtics the favourite, assigning a slight 58.1% probability of victory. For reference, the full split is Boston Celtics 58.1%, draw 0%, New York Knicks 41.9%.
Form guides this call: Boston Celtics are winning at a 68% clip against New York Knicks's 65%, before home advantage is applied. The projected line is Boston Celtics 1.4 – 1.3 New York Knicks, based on each team's scoring and concession averages this season blended with prior form.
Verdict: Boston Celtics to come out on top is the model's recommended pick at 58.1% confidence. As always, these are statistical estimates, not certainties.
Team news
- Takeaways: LeBron at center?! Why the 76ers had to get creative on opening night — Brian Windhorst examines a surprising shift for LeBron, plus more takeaways from the NBA's season-opening tripleheader. (ESPN, 2026-10-21)
- Mike Brown: Would not have felt good about a win vs. 76ers given Knicks' play — Knicks coach Mike Brown would've taken the win against the 76ers -- but wouldn't have been happy with it, acknowledging that relying on late-game magic or the feel-good vibes of ring night wouldn't be enough to start the season on a positive note. (ESPN, 2026-10-21)
- Paul George's 38-point debut not enough as Piston rally late to down Celtics — Paul George scored 38 points -- the most by a Celtic in his debut, and the fifth most by a player in his first game with an NBA franchise -- in a 121-113 defeat to the Pistons on Tuesday. But as George put it: "I'm not a moral victory guy." (ESPN, 2026-10-21)
- Knicks celebrate NBA title, add surprise Cup banner — The Knicks celebrated their 2025-26 season Tuesday with banners -- two of them -- and rings before hosting the 76ers in this season's opener. (ESPN, 2026-10-21)
- NBA opening day: Celtics-Pistons, 76ers-Knicks, Thunder-Spurs results, highlights — The 2026-27 season commenced with a tripleheader. Here are all the results and highlights from the opening slate. (ESPN, 2026-10-21)
- Pistons kick off season vs. Celtics with NBA's largest opening day comeback — The Pistons rallied from a 22-point deficit against the Celtics to pull off the largest comeback on the first day of an NBA season in the play-by-play era. (ESPN, 2026-10-21)