New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions for Friday, October 23, 2026
The Knicks raised a championship banner Tuesday, then watched Philadelphia spoil the party. Now New York has to put that 106-100 loss behind it for a Friday visit to Boston. The Celtics are waiting at TD Garden for a 7:00 pm ET tipoff on Prime Video. Boston had a rough opener too, surrendering a 22-point lead in a 121-113 defeat at Detroit. Both Atlantic Division rivals start 0-1, with Philadelphia already a game ahead. New York needs to shoot better; Boston needs to finish games. See what's ahead on Friday with our free NBA picks.
New York Has Work to Do After Its Opener
For a while, Tuesday looked like it belonged to the Knicks. They led Philadelphia by four at halftime and had the crowd behind them. But an 11-0 Sixers run to end the third quarter changed the mood. New York got within a point late without ever taking back control. It wasn't for lack of effort under the basket. The Knicks pulled down 53 rebounds and blocked eight shots, yet scored only 100 points on 37% shooting. They'll want to turn those extra chances into baskets in Boston rather than rely on another fourth-quarter comeback.
Jalen Brunson finished with 21 points, the most on the team, but went 6-for-19 from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and spent much of the night fighting for position inside. Andre Drummond led New York with 14 rebounds. He also had four assists, matching Landry Shamet, and two blocks, matching Towns. That combination of size and extra possessions will matter Friday. The Knicks don't have to play a perfect game on the perimeter if their big men keep getting second chances around the rim.
Injuries: No reported injuries.
Boston Needs to Protect the Paint
Boston's opener in Detroit looked comfortable until it wasn't. The Celtics were ahead by 22 early in the third quarter, but the Pistons kept chipping away. By the fourth, Detroit had taken over. Boston still scored 113 points and knocked down 17 three-pointers, so the offense had its moments. The bigger problem was surviving when the game got physical near the basket. The Celtics finished with 39 rebounds and five blocks while giving up 121 points. Facing Drummond and Towns next, they won't want another night spent chasing loose balls.
Paul George made quite an entrance, scoring 38 points in his first Celtics game and hitting seven shots from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum couldn't get his own jumper working, but he kept the offense moving with a team-high 11 assists. Jordan Walsh led Boston with six rebounds. Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta each had two blocks, sharing the team lead. Boston has the shooters to stretch New York's defense, although the Celtics will also need somebody making things difficult for the Knicks inside. Another strong scoring night won't mean much if they can't get stops.
Injuries: Devin Carter is out with an illness.
Key To The Game
The Knicks brought down 53 rebounds in their opener; Boston managed 39. If New York turns that difference into extra shots, the Celtics could spend Friday playing from behind despite having plenty of outside scoring.
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Game Pick
- New York Knicks +2.5
The Knicks didn't shoot well Tuesday, but they kept getting chances because of their work on the glass. Drummond and Towns give Boston a difficult matchup after the Celtics struggled to protect a big lead in Detroit. George will get his points, and Boston can shoot from deep. New York has the size to stay within reach, though. The Knicks will cover the 2.5-point spread in a very close game.
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Over/Under Pick
- Under 223.5
New York scored only 100 points in its opener, and Boston's defense needs to respond after allowing 121. The Knicks can slow things down by working through Towns and Drummond near the basket, where rebounds and physical play take time. George gives Boston a dangerous shooter, but New York has enough size to challenge those second chances. Expect a tighter game that finishes under the posted 223.5-point total on Friday.