For today’s six-game NBA slate, the Boston Celtics (54-25) vs. the New York Knicks (52-28) begin a doubleheader on Prime Video with a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off.
Thursday, April 9, marks the fourth and final regular-season head-to-head matchup between the Celtics and Knicks. Boston is looking to knot the series at 2-2, while New York would finish 3-1 vs. the Celtics with a win.
Let’s break down the matchup, make a Celtics vs. Knicks prediction, and highlight a pair of player projections to target for NBA picks for PrizePicks.
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Celtics vs. Knicks Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Celtics are on a four-game winning streak and hold an 8-2 outright record over the last 10 games. This has put Boston firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, holding a three-game lead over No. 3 seed New York.
With three regular-season games remaining, the Celtics will clinch the No. 2 seed with a win or Knicks loss over the next three games. Boston can wrap up the race with a win tonight.
Paired with New York’s slim chances of securing the No. 2 seed, it has only a 0.5 game lead over the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks must simply find ways to win, fending off Cleveland.
New York is on a three-game winning streak and has a 7-3 record in the last 10 matchups. According to PrizePicks Team Picks, the Knicks are a 4.5-point favorite tonight, as the Celtics could be without several notable players.
Celtics vs. Knicks Spread, Over/Under
The Celtics are road underdogs with a 2.43x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
Meanwhile, the Knicks are favored by 4.5 points and have a 1.51x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 35 states.
- Spread: New York Knicks -4.5
- Over/Under: 214.5
- Game Winner Payout: Celtics 2.43x | Knicks 1.51x
Team picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Celtics vs. Knicks Injury Report
Let’s look at the full Celtics vs. Knicks injury report for Thursday’s matchup, via NBA.com.
Celtics Injury Report
- G Jaylen Brown (Achilles): Questionable
- G Derrick White (knee): Questionable
- C Neemias Queta (toe): Questionable
- F Sam Hauser (back): Questionable
Knicks Injury Report
- PG Tyler Kolek (oblique): Questionable
Celtics vs. Knicks Prediction on Over/Under – 4/9/26
According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Knicks play at the sixth-slowest pace, while the Celtics feature the Association's slowest tempo. Yet, Boston (second) and New York (third) are productive on offense by ranking in the top three of offensive rating.
Both teams love the 3-ball, with the Celtics holding a 46.3% shot distribution (fourth) and the Knicks carrying a 42.7% shot distribution (12th), per Dunks & Threes. Furthermore, Boston averages 15.2 made triples per game (third), compared to New York’s 14.3 per contest (10th).
Each defense gives up a high volume on the perimeter; the Celtics cede a 45.2% 3-point shot distribution (30th), and the Knicks surrender a 44.7% shot distribution from deep (27th). Boston allows 39.2 3-point shots per game (27th), plus New York gives up 38.3 attempted triples per matchup (22nd).
If both offenses are consistently given looks from beyond the arc, we could be in store for plenty of points. That’s further emphasized by Boston’s 36.4% 3-point percentage (10th) and New York’s 37.4% mark from deep (fourth).
Celtics vs. Knicks Picks for PrizePicks Today: 4/9/26
Check out a pair of Celtics vs. Knicks NBA picks to target for Thursday, April 9, on PrizePicks. Celtics G Derrick White and Knicks G Mikal Bridges headline player stat projections via PrizePicks.
Celtics G Derrick White vs. Knicks Projection: 14.5 Points
- Celtics G Jaylen Brown is questionable, and when he’s off the court, G Derrick White sees a team-high +7.2% increase in usage rate.
- When Brown is out, White has the second-largest usage rate on Boston (29.5%).
- He can take advantage of the Knicks’ suspect perimeter defense, too, ranking second on the team with 8.3 3-point attempts per game.
- White is red-hot from 3-point land, converting 11 of his past 17 attempts (64.7%).
- If active, the two-time All-Defensive guard could make a splash vs. New York on Thursday.
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Knicks G Mikal Bridges vs. Celtics Projection: 12.5 Points
- Knicks G Mikal Bridges averages 14.7 points per game (PPG) on the season and posted 17.0 PPG over three games in April.
- He’s reached at least 14 points in six of his last eight appearances.
- Bridges made at least 2 triples in five of his past eight games, attempting 5.3 3-point shots per game in the split.
- Knocking down 36.9% of his shots from deep, Bridges could take advantage of the Celtics allowing 14.1 3-pointers per game (26th).
Make Celtics vs. Knicks Picks on PrizePicks
Despite slow paces colliding in the Celtics-Knicks, could each team’s 3-point attack push the 214.5 total to the over? White and Bridges are two 3-point specialists who may thrive on Thursday night.
You can make your Celtics vs. Knicks picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news.
