Defending champions Boston Celtics will start their 2024/2025 season in a thrilling rivalry against the New York Knicks at the TD Gardens on October 22. The Knicks are the biggest rival for Boston in their run for the Eastern Conference title but will be without Isaiah Hartenstein. The team traded Hartenstein this summer, but they have strengthened their team by bringing in Mikal Bridges.
Boston is the favorite for this match, but we expect the Knicks to display an impressive performance in their first game. This will be the third time in the last four seasons that these teams are opening the NBA campaigns against each other. The Celtics won their last game in New York with a tight margin last year, while the Knicks won the Evan Fournier revenge fixture with a double-overtime in October 2021. However, the Knicks have revamped their squad in the last year to stand strong against Boston’s versatility, making this a thrilling test for the defending champions.
But can the Celtics record a win in their opening fixture or will the Knicks spoil their championship ring celebration during their first game in Boston? Here’s a preview of the Celtics against the Knicks and some betting tips from SportyTrader’s experts on NBA games.
Boston Celtics vs Knicks: Who is expected to win?
With a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season, the New York Knicks have adjusted their team to improve their chances of winning the championship. The Knicks ranks among the favorites to win the Eastern Conference throughout the season,but their campaign was plagued by multiple injuries in the post-season. These injuries made manager Tom Thobodeau’s side lose their semi-final game against the Pacers, who lost to Boston in the final. However, the Knicks will get the chance to see how Mikal Bridges performs in their opening match.
Bridges comes as the first trade between New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets since 1983. This expensive trade saw the Knick lose five first round picks, a second-round draft, and a first-round pick swap, making it the biggest NBA trade this summer. The Knicks hope Bridges will help them win the Easter Conference title after reuniting with former Villanova teammates; Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo.
Meanwhile, the Celtics finished last season with the best record in the NBA (64-18) before going 16-3 during the post-season. The Celtics were not the outright favorites before the 2024 NBA playoffs, but they were among the strongest squads on paper. That’s why it's hard to discount their title run even though four of their opponents in the playoffs were relying on injured stars or playing shorthanded. Regardless, NBA experts predict the Celtics will win their opening fixture against the Knicks.
The Celtics didn’t need much in the summer transfer window since the franchise will start their 2024/2025 NBA campaign with their whole team. However, Kristaps Porzingis might be a variable for their opening games since the star forward is still recovering after surgery that might cost him several games.
