Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction, NBA Odds
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Edgar Chaput
In a strange bit of NBA scheduling, the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks will engage in a “baseball series” but only from Boston’s perspective. The Celtics were in Atlanta on Monday and will be again tonight, but in the interim the Hawks played the Trail Blazers at home on Wednesday, winning 120-106. Adding to the intrigue is the amazing comeback the Hawks pulled on the Celtics on Monday, winning 120-118 despite being down by 30 points.
Despite all that, the NBA odds have pinned the visiting Celtics as -16.5 favourites.
Celtics vs. Hawks NBA Betting Odds
Thursday is not only the second match in the same week between these franchises but also concludes the season series. Monday’s victory helped the Hawks halve the deficit to 2-1. Before that the clubs engaged in a first-round playoff series last spring with the Celtics taking it 4-2.
The Celtics are an odd team this season. Well, they’re a great team, what with a mesmerizing 57-15 straight up record and ridiculous +11.5 average point differential. On the flip side, they don’t do particularly well in close games, posting a .529 winning percentage. What’s more, holding on to those incredible leads they build has been tricky lately. They almost coughed up a big one to Milwaukee at home on March 23 and fell to the Cavaliers on March 5 after leading by 22. They’re still 4-2 ATS in their last six with spreads of 10 or greater.
Overall, Atlanta is nowhere near as good against the spread given the 26-46 record. Then again, they’re riding a three-game winning streak, both straight up and ATS. Furthermore, that success has happened with star Trae Young sitting on the bench because of a finger ligament tear. Another surprising stat is that despite Young’s absence, the over has connected five games in a row and six times out of the last seven.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics are dealing with a few injuries heading into this grudge match. Young studs Jaden Springer (knee) and Xavier Tillman (knee) are listed as day-to-day. Jrue Holiday (shoulder) is still out and Al Horford (toe sprain) is day-to-day.
Assessing the Celtics this season is a bizarre proposition. They destroy so many teams, swatting them away like flies, but then lay a second-half goose egg like on Monday night versus the Hawks. For a team with their level of firepower, they only tallied 44 points during the final 24 minutes, 22 in each quarter. They definitely do or die by their three-point shooting. It was a lackluster night with 28.9 per cent efficiency. Jayson Tatum led the way with 37 points. Horford corralled nine rebounds.
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta has also been bitten by the injury bug. In addition to Young, AJ Griffin (ankle sprain), Kobe Bufkin (toe), and Onyeka Okongwu (toe) are all out.
The Hawks have not been spared criticism this season. They’re hampered by one of the worst defences in the NBA at 27th and are one of only five clubs to concede 120 or more points per match. They don’t defend two-point shots well, nor three-point shots, and they aren’t very good at preventing the opposition from rebounding (20th). Atlanta was also extremely passive at the trade deadline, resulting in an operation that doesn’t inspire much.
Even so, De’Andre Hunter is having himself a nice week, and Dejounte Murray’s 22.4 points average makes him a solid piece. The latter dominated the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, netting 30 points and dishing seven dimes. Substitute Garrison Mathews has also hit at least 20 points twice in the past three games.
BOS
ATL