2013 NBA Playoffs Knicks vs. Celtics Game 3 Picks & Predictions
By ATSSportsline.com
BOSTON, MA (ATS Consultants) – The Celtics will attempt to cut into the Knicks’ current two-games-to-none lead in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round tonight at 8:00PM ET.
ODDS: Oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv have installed the Celtics as 2.5-point favorites over the Knicks, while the over/under total is currently sitting at 184 points. In Game 1 of this series, New York beat Boston 85-78 but failed to cover as a 7.5-point favorite, but beat the Celtics 87-71 as a 6.5-point favorite in Game 2.
LINE MOVEMENT: The Knicks opened as a 3-point underdog but the spread has been bet down to 2.5 at the majority of online and Vegas sports books.
PUBLIC BETTING: Of the current wagers placed on tonight’s game, 57% of NBA public bettors currently favor the Knicks. This information is subject to change, however, so make sure you click on the link provided to get the most updated public betting numbers.
NBA FREE PICK: Take the under. According to latest NBA trends, New York 0-4 Under last 4 games playing on 2 days rest, 1-5 Under last 6 overall and 1-4 Under last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. Boston is 0-4 Under last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games, 0-5 Under last 5 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, 0-5 Under last 5 vs. Knicks, and 1-5 Under last 6 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
New York Knicks are looking to go 3-0 in the series. Boston returns home for their first playoff game since the bombing at the Boston Marathon last week and the first in 16 days. The Boston Celtics have to win with guile and experience, but that won't be enough against the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony appears to be on a mission and the Knicks' defense has been the strongest all season. Boston has averaged just 74.5 points in their first two games and have been even worse in the second half. They have scored just 48 points combined in their last two halves. In Game 1, the Celtics managed just eight points in the fourth quarter, and in Tuesday's Game 2, Boston scored 23 points total in the second half. New York's offense hasn't exploded yet. That's the bad news for the Celtics. The NBA's leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony is averaging 35.0 ppg during the first two games. Expect the Celtics, with an aging and injury-riddled Kevin Garnett, to continue to struggle to score points as this game goes under. The Knicks take on the Celtics at TD Garden in Boston on Friday at 8pmET (ESPN).
2013 NBA FREE PICK: KNICKS/CELTICS UNDER 184
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