The NBA is BACK! Finally, after six months, the NBA is back and has two great matchups to open the new season. The first matchup is an Atlantic Divisional matchup between two heavyweights, the Celtics and the Knicks.
Today's the day 🗓️🔒 pic.twitter.com/AGv67md0Wp
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 22, 2024
The Knicks fell short last season, losing to the Pacers in a very entertaining seven-game series. After the season, the Knicks totally revamped their team, adding two-star players, Karl Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges. Although they added key pieces, the Knicks lost star Julius Randle and key contributors during their playoff run in Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstien, and Bojan Bogdanovic. The excitement in the Big Apple is at an all-time high as the team currently has the third-highest odds of winning the NBA Championship (+750). But this unit will be tested immediately facing the defending champion Celtics.
The Celtics are coming off an unbelievable season where they captured their first NBA title in 16 years. The Celtics finished the regular season with a record of 64-18 and only lost three playoff games last year, finishing with a total record of 80-21. Their dominance on the offensive and defensive side of the ball was evident as they were able to coast to an NBA Title. After the season, they were able to retain all of the key pieces from last year's run, only losing Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk in free agency. The Celtics are trying to be the first repeat champions since the 2017-18/2018-19 Golden State Warriors. The Celtics have the best odds of winning the NBA Championship (+310).
Tonight, we raise Banner 18 🏆☘️ pic.twitter.com/9yGDV0TQM6
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 22, 2024
The Celtics and Knicks matched up five times last season, with the Celtics winning four out of the five matchups and matched up in the first game of the season last year, where the Celtics took down the Knicks 108-104. The Celtics are currently -5.5 point favorites over the Knicks tonight, and although this is the first game, it seems like a big game for both teams. For the Knicks, this game will show if their offseason moves moved the team in the right direction, and for the Celtics, this game will show if they are still the team to beat this season or not.
My prediction for this game is that the Celtics will defeat the Knicks. In an arena that is celebrating the championship from last year, raising Banner 18, and fully celebrating the franchise's 18th championship, and only losing six home games last year, including the playoffs, the Celtics should be able to take care of business at home to open the season, but this new-look Knicks team does make this matchup intriguing.
A lot of excitement in the air for this 2024-25 NBA season, and I can't wait to see it unfold.
