Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Boston -2.5, Total: 195

New York and Boston will see each other in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1990. This matchup Wednesday night will be more of an exhibition game with both teams likely to rest starters.

The Knicks ended their seven-game win streak with a 103-90 loss at home to Chicago on Tuesday night. The Knicks looked great in the first half, putting up 55 points against the second-best defensive team in the NBA, but the Bulls started the second half on a 26-2 run. The Knicks fought back with a spark off the bench from Bill Walker (4.8 PPG) who scored 18 points, but eventually fell short. New York was without Amar’e Stoudemire (25.4 PPG) and most likely will be with out most of their other starters Wednesday night. The Knicks have the No. 6 seed locked up which leaves no reason to throw their starters out there for a chance of injury. If most starters do not play, look for Toney Douglas (10.6 PPG) to have a big game, in which he will get a boatload of the shots.

Boston rested its big four in Monday’s 95-94 loss to the Wizards. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo will also sit out Wednesday and get a good week’s rest going into the playoffs. Garnett, Pierce and Allen are all in their mid 30’s and rest is exactly what they need. The C’s have the third seed locked up and will host New York to start off the playoffs. Boston had the No. 1 seed for most of the season, but stumbled down the stretch, going 9-11 with big losses to Chicago and Miami. The Celtics hope their playoff experience will give them the edge over less-experienced teams such as the Bulls and Knicks.

New York has been great against the spread on the road this year going 26-13 ATS (66.7%). Against division opponents, the Knicks are 11-4 ATS, and 12-7 ATS when playing on back-to-back days. New York has lost all three games to Boston this year, but by an average of 5.3 points, which resulted in New York going 2-1 ATS. Boston, who is 32-8 SU at home, is only 17-19 ATS. The Celtics also haven’t had much success versus good offensive teams either, going 16-20 ATS against clubs that score 99.0 PPG or more. I like New York and its reserves to play well and win a close one against the second team of the Celtics. These two FoxSheets trends also side with the Knicks.

NEW YORK is 23-6 ATS (79.3%, +16.4 Units) as a road underdog this season. The average score was NEW YORK 105.0, OPPONENT 105.1 - (Rating = 4*).

Play Against - Home favorites (BOSTON) - extremely tired team - playing their 5th game in 7 days, good team, winning 60-75% or more of their games on the season. (111-70 since 1996.) (61.3%, +34 units. Rating = 2*).