Experts' prediction for tonight's New York Knicks v Boston Celtics game

New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will meet early this morning in one of the most exciting games of the regular season. Both teams are among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and could serve as a preview for a hypothetical crossover in the upcoming playoffs.

The Celtics visit Madison Square Garden, one of the toughest arenas to win in this season, riding a seven-game winning streak and sitting atop the East with a 44-12 record, 7.5 games behind the second-place Cleveland Cavaliers at 36-19. With Jayson Tatum in his best form of the season, they will look to knock off the Knicks at home.

New York (34-22), meanwhile, is looking to keep the pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks (36-21) as they look to clinch third place in the Conference. Right now, plagued by injuries (Julius Ranlde, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson), the Knicks are looking to Jalen Brunson to guide them to a win that would be huge.

That said, what is the expert opinion for a game of this magnitude? According to a report published by the media Sportskeeda, these will be the quintets of the two teams and this is how the duel will unfold:  

- Knicks 5: Jalen Brunson - Donte DiVincenzo - Josh Hart - Precious Achiuwa - Isaiah Hartenstein

- Celtics 5: Jrue Holiday - Derrick White - Jaylen Brown - Jayson Tatum - Kristaps Porzingis

- Winner: Golden State Warriors.

- Point differential: Boston Celtics due to their deeper rotation than the New York Knicks due to injuries suffered by the Big Apple team.

If this result occurs, Boston Celtics would reach a record of 45-12, while New York Knicks would lose the fourth place in the East with a 34-23 balance.