Boston Celtics at New York Knicks Fri. April 22, 2011 7 p.m. EST

Ever since the NBA trade deadline, the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics just haven’t been the same team as the trade of Kendrick Perkins turned out to be one of the worst moves that GM Danny Ainge could have made. Even though Ainge was only thinking about the future, the move just tore the team apart as players like All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo and perennial All-Star forward Kevin Garnett were devastated.

With two of the best players on the team struggling after the trade of one of the most beloved players on the team, the Boston Celtics seemed to have lost that team chemistry that made them such a dominant squad over the past few years. Despite the fact that they have clearly been a different team since the trade, the Boston Celtics were able to clinch the third seed in the East and are up 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks.

The Boston Celtics may up 2-0 against the up-and-coming New York Knicks, but the series could be much different as Carmelo Anthony and company could easily be up 2-0 heading to the Big Apple for Game 3. With the Knicks playing some inspired basketball, the Celtics have been challenged in every single game of the series so far, but they have had to battle through injuries to both Chauncey Billups and Amare Stoudemire.

As of right now, the New York Knicks are being given the edge in Game 3 despite the uncertainty surrounding the playing status of Billups and Stoudemire. With a -2 point spread, the Knicks are favored to play much better on their home floor and I believe they will get a much-needed first win of the series on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Bookmaker, one of the leading online sportsbooks have the following odds for this match up:

DSI Sportsbook:
Spread: Boston Celtics +3.5 & New York Knicks – 3.5
Moneyline: Boston Celtics +145 & New York Knicks -165
Over/Under: Boston Celtics 110 New York Knicks 110 under (191)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Boston Celtics +3.5 & New York Knicks – 3.5
Moneyline: Boston Celtics +145 & New York Knicks -165
Over/Under: Boston Celtics 110 New York Knicks 110 under (191)

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