Very real possibility that the Celtics don't let the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum play the entire way because the C's have squat to play for. But they looked really bad Tuesday in Milwaukee and have two absolute cupcake games left where they can rest all their guys. So I tend to think maybe the Celtics send a bit of a statement to the Knicks in case they meet in the playoffs. Feel obligated to take Boston at this number at home even if New York has all the motivation.

It's not the same Boston tonight that is 4-0 vs. NY this season. What we likely get from the Celtics until the playoffs is what we saw two nights ago in Milwaukee, when Joe Mazzulla rested Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis in an uninspired loss to the Bucks. With the top postseason seed already assured, no reason for the Celtics to hit the accelerator again until the playoffs begin, and there is a chance that Al Horford and Jayson Tatum, also both on the injury report, don't feature tonight, either. Meanwhile the Knicks are still motivated by playoff seeding, Jalen Brunson is on fire (40+ points last two), and stop-end force OG Anunoby returned to active duty last week. Play Knicks

This game still means a lot for the Knicks. They are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They could finish as high as the second seed, while the Cavaliers, Magic and Pacers are right behind them in the standings. The Celtics have nothing left to play for and this is the first game of a back-to-back set, so expect them to rest at least a couple of key players. Hart has been playing a ton and has talented scorers around him, which has enabled him to average 7.3 assists over the last nine games. In those nine games, he finished with at least six assists eight times. Give me the over here.

Can you imagine the uproar if one of the BOS stars got hurt in what is essentially an exhibition game for them? Meanwhile the Knicks, despite all they have been through, still have a shot to be the 2 seed in the EAST., The Garden has been a fortress but I can't imagine this isn't a big night for the deepest corridors of the Boston bench. NYK been cashing for us during playoff push and scoring more since OG Anunoby returned. Seem to want to give their best 5 long looks running together again and you know Jalen Brunson will be up for a game at The Garden.

The Boston Celtics have secured home court throughout the duration of the NBA playoffs, including the finals, if they were to advance that far. Boston looked completely lifeless in their last game against the Bucks with nothing to play for. They also sat two key players in Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. It wouldnt surprise me if they choose to rest some of their starters in this spot either. Meanwhile, the Knicks are in an extremely tight race with three games remaining and could go as low as the seventh seed in a worst case scenario. I'll take the team that needs this win.

The overnight spread on the Knicks and Celtics is mainly predicated on the Celtics insane home record. At this stage of the season the Celtics are in a different mindset, gearing up for the postseason. Look for a similar situation we saw in their last outing against the Milwaukee Bucks. For the Knicks on the other hand they are looking to solidify their team camaraderie with OG Anunoby back. They also are chasing the Bucks for potentially getting the two seed in the Eastern Conference. Lay it with the Knicks.