Last night was a microcosm of the past year of Boston Celtics basketball and the Houdini means that in such a horrible sense.
Never able to pull ahead of the San Antonio Spurs in what was a spirited back and forth contest, the Cs found themselves with a chance to win it in the final seconds.
Jaylen Brown stole the San Antonio inbounds pass from Australian rookie Jock Landale but whiffed a game-tying lay-up at the buzzer.
Credit Dejounte Murray with the defensive stop, but Brown, who scored 30 points, framed it simply:
"“I smoked the f—ing layup,” he said, “but we have to bounce back tomorrow.”"
Now, we’re at the bounce-back portion. Boston will be making the 200+ mile trip to New York to take on the Knicks in a nationally televised battle between the #10 and #11 seeds in the Eastern Conference.
Hardwood Houdini is here to dish out odds, let you know where to catch the action, and lay a prediction ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Knicks at MSG:
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBet, the Celtics are 1-point favorites against the Knicks on the road. New York is a +100 underdog at home, with the Cs moneyline set at -120. The over/under for the game has been placed at 207 points.
Celtics vs. Knicks TV channel
This game will be televised on TNT, with no local affiliates being an option tonight. NBA League Pass offers alternate camera angles, but the standard broadcast will only be available on TNT.
Celtics vs. Knicks prediction
Another letdown from the Cs on their home-floor puts their backs up against the wall. Lose tonight and all of a sudden Boston is on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference postseason picture.
Without Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose, the Knicks offense will suffer, but the defense may be better off because of it. Whether or not that means they struggle to score against a Celtics defense that has struggled most of the year is unclear.
But what is clear is that the Cs can’t afford to lose this game. The Houdini is cautiously (and anxiously) backing Boston tonight in the mecca.