It’s always a big occasion when a site hosts the current NBA champions. That’s just what lies in store for the New York Knicks when the Boston Celtics are the visitors on February 8.
This promises to be an important match in the Atlantic Division of the NBA Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks were only just behind the Celtics as 2025 got underway. Both clubs look certain to be in the end-of-season play-offs and in with a chance of becoming NBA champions, according to New York Bet. Just how high a side can get in the seedings is going to be important.
Last season, these were the top two teams in the Atlantic Division. The Celtics had 14 more wins than the Knicks in the main season. They went on to win the NBA title, while the Knicks lost a lead to the Indiana Pacers and were beaten in the Conference semifinals.
That was a huge disappointment for the Knicks but they have battled well in this new season. It was certainly a successful end to 2024 as they won eight successive matches. What made that run even more special was the fact that six of the wins came on the road.
Keeping up such a good run was never going to be easy as the Knicks entered 2025. They began the new year with a home victory over Utah but were then beaten at both Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls. Both matches were lost by a margin of over ten points.
There will be two matches against the Boston Celtics in February. After the home match on February 8, the Knicks head to Boston on February 23rd.
They have had one meeting this season and that was in the very first match played. It was at Boston and the Celtics were in dominating form, winning the match at the TD Garden 132-109.
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These two sides met on five occasions last season. The Knicks won at Boston in April but the Celtics had won the other four matches played last term. With one defeat to the Celtics already this season, the Knicks will be going all out to get a win on February 8.
Could there be some signings before the match against Boston? 6 feet- 3 inch guard Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz is someone that has been linked with the Knicks. The 33-year-old is extremely experienced, especially when it comes to the play-offs.
He could help avoid the Knicks getting into a lead in a play-off series but failing to progress. With the current bench not being too full of experience, adding Clarkson or someone similar would be a major boost for the Knicks.
At present, the Knicks are the third favorites behind Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA title this season.
Boston made a storming start to the defense of their NBA title. Only Indiana were able to beat them in their first eight matches and that was an over time loss on the road. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown just kept on piling up the points as the Celtics topped the Atlantic Division again.
Becoming NBA champions meant there are always going to be happy memories of 2024. However, the year ended disappointingly for the Celtics with six losses in December, including three of the last five, two being on their home court.
January has had a better start and with another Atlantic Division and the play-offs to look forward to, 2025 could be another big year for the Celtics. They are the favorites to retain their NBA title with FanDuel who are one of the top sportsbook operators in New York.
Who might they meet in the final if getting that far? The current odds favor a series between the Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder followed by Dallas Mavericks being the opponents. Fans of the Knicks can be spurred on by the fact that the current third favorite is them meeting Oklahoma.
An exciting few months lie ahead in the NBA. The match between the Knicks and the Celtics is bound to be a classic. A win for the Knicks would be a great confidence booster for them.
