NBA Playoff Picks: New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics, Game 6

New York Knicks at Boston Celtics
Friday, 5/3/13, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: New York -1.5
Current Betting Line: New York -2
Opening Total: 181.5
Current Total: 181.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Heat Celtics NBA Playoffs Game 2 Preview — The Boston Celtics will try to force a Game 7 with a victory over the New York Knicks Friday night

New York still holds a 3-2 series lead over Boston, but it has dropped back-to-back games, including a 92-86 setback as nine-point home favorites Wednesday night. “We didn’t get it done,” commented Knicks coach Mike Woodon. “It’s not going to be easy by any means going to Boston and getting a win there.” The Knicks were 23-18 overall on the road during the regular season, including a 17-9 mark versus Eastern Conference opponents. New York is 4-5 SUATS as road favorites of three points or less, with the UNDER going 5-3-1 in that situation.

The Knicks are being led on the offensive end by forward Carmelo Anthony, who led the NBA in scoring during the regular season, as he’s averaging 30.8 points in 41.6 minutes of action. New York needs a bounce-back performance from Sixth Man of the Year Award winner J.R. Smith, who is averaging 15.8 points in four games of action in the postseason.

Boston is averaging just 82.8 points on 41.9 percent shooting in this series, but it has limited New York to 41 percent from the floor, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread Friday night. “We just know every game for us is a Game 7,” commented Celtics reserve guard Jason Terry. The Celtics are certainly aware that only three teams have rallied from an 0-3 deficit to force a decisive game, with each of those squads losing in the final contest. Boston is 8-2 ATS off an upset win as an underdog this season.

The Celtics have three probable starters averaging in double figures, with Jeff Green and Paul Pierce both averaging 20.2 points per game, while center Kevin Garnett is leading all players in the 2013 NBA playoffs in grabbing 14.4 rebounds per contest. Terry is contributing 11.6 points and 2.4 assists per game off the bench.