Knicks vs. Celtics prediction, odds, time: 2026 NBA picks for Friday, Oct. 23 — SkimNews
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- The New York Knicks opened their title defense with a 106-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, who were bolstered by a loaded offseason.
- The Boston Celtics began their retooled campaign with a 121-113 loss to Detroit, having traded Jaylen Brown for Paul George in the offseason.
- Boston is a 2.5-point favorite for the Friday matchup, with the over/under set at 224.5 points.
- The SportsLine Projection Model, after 10,000 simulations, predicts the game total will go Over 224.5 points, hitting 51% of the time.
- The Knicks have won seven of the last ten meetings against the Celtics, dating back to their 2025 conference semifinals matchup.
Why it matters: For bettors, the model's Over pick and its track record of returning nearly $19,000 in profit for $100 players since 2018 provide a data-driven edge. The early-season matchup is a high-stakes test for two Eastern Conference contenders trying to avoid an 0-2 start.
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