2011 NBA Playoffs – Knicks vs Celtics Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview

2011 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs – New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics Series Odds, Predictions, Free Picks and Preview: Blockbuster trades were the theme for both Boston and New York in 2011. The Knicks completely reshuffled their roster and style of play to bring in Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Meanwhile, Boston dealt center Kendrick Perkins, adding Jeff Green to bolster the offense and putting their trust in veteran Shaquille O’Neal to man the middle. Both trades have been met with mixed reviews, and the outcome of this series will go a long way to determining which team made the right move. The Celtics have been installed as a -360 favorite(odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) to win the series.

Led by Rajon Rondo, the Celtics got off to a fast start in 2011, and they looked like the best team in the league for the first half of the year. However, Rondo slowed down in the second half, and Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett followed suit. Boston lost its grip on the top seed in the East, and an ugly loss to the Miami Heat late in the year cost them the No. 2 seed. To make matters worse, Shaq has been plagued by injuries, leaving a big hole in the middle of the Celtics’ defense. Boston has plenty of championship experience on their roster, but they are in a bit of disarray entering the postseason.

The Knicks know all about disarray. The trade to bring in Anthony and Billups forced an up-tempo New York team centered around Amar’e Stoudemire to become a halfcourt team. The transition has caused some ugly losses to the league’s worst teams, but the Knicks have also knocked off some of the top dogs in the NBA. They enter the playoffs in the middle of their best stretch since making the trade, and the Knicks have three legitimate stars their disposal.

The strength of the Celtics is clearly their experience. Rondo and company are playoff tested, and they were in the NBA Finals just one year ago. If Shaq can’t play because of injury, Boston does lack toughness in the mild. However, Stoudemire isn’t exactly a force in the paint. More importantly, the Celtics were a perfect 3-0 against New York in 2011. When the teams met in late March, Boston shut down the new-look Knicks, holding them to just 86 points.

For the Knicks, chemistry is the key. While most teams have an entire offseason to gel, New York has been forced to do so in the middle of the season. The Knicks are more talented than they were before the trade, but this team has had trouble clicking on both ends of the court at times, and that problem could be exacerbated with the pressure of the playoffs in the mix.

Despite getting swept by Boston in the regular season, the Knicks won’t be an easy out. Stoudemire and Anthony will provide plenty of firepower offense, and Billups is nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot” for a reason. In the end, Boston’s playoff savvy will be the difference. The Celtics will make sure the games are played at their pace, making every possession count. The Knicks just aren’t efficient enough on the offensive end right now or committed enough on defense to beat Boston four times. Check the opening NBA lines for Knicks-Celtics Game 1 below.

Prediction: Boston Celtics Win in 6 Games

NBA Playoffs Series Odds
Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
Boston Celtics -360
New York Knicks +300