It’s the second of a back-to-back for the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics on Saturday night as they welcome the Atlanta Hawks for the final time this season.
The C’s are 9-point favourites on the NBA odds, but be aware a player or two or three could sit on both sides.
Hawks vs. Celtics NBA Betting Odds
We are getting to the dog days of the NBA regular-season schedule with guys looking ahead to the upcoming All-Star break, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Boston coach Joe Mazzulla gave one of his stars in Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown the second of back-to-back off here (see below). The Celtics don’t much care about the regular season and most likely will not finish with the East’s best record and home-court advantage through the conference playoffs. That’s probably going to Cleveland. The C’s just want to be healthy when the postseason starts and they begin official defence of their title.
That said, I do expect the Boston players to be a bit motivated to win Saturday in the final meeting of the season with the Hawks and they have split the first two, each winning on the road. The Celtics were stunned 117-116 by Atlanta on Nov. 12 even as the Hawks were without All-Star point guard Trae Young. That loss – Brown missed a 15-foot jumper at the buzzer — ended up costing Boston a chance to advance to the knockout rounds of the NBA Cup competition.
We could see these two meet in the first round of the playoffs if the seeding works out right and Atlanta gets through the play-in tournament, where it is currently headed. Boston is 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The over-under is 5-5.
Atlanta Hawks
The NBA is a weird league at times. The Hawks were without most of their key players in the second of a back-to-back on Wednesday in Chicago but still upset the Bulls 110-94 as 7-point underdogs. Among those out were star Trae Young (23.1 points per game, league-best 11.9 assists), forwards Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter, and rookie No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher due to injuries. Some of them should be back Saturday, although Johnson (19.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG) has been out since early this month and is questionable. The 19-year-old Risacher was always going to be a longer-term project and has been solid in his first season in averaging 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds. He has been ruled out again. Atlanta is 7-4 on the road against Eastern Conference teams, having won six of its last seven, including two in a row. However, the Hawks are 1-5 ATS in their past six away.
Boston Celtics
There is nothing more challenging than trying to predict an NBA game when one team is in the second of a back-to-back because we just don’t know who might rest. That’s the case with Boston, which trounced visiting Orlando 121-94 on Friday but is listing superstar Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford as questionable. I can almost promise those latter two sit out because they don’t play both ends of a B2B and it seems like a natural spot to give Tatum a breather as well. If so, you may want to play over Jaylen Brown’s point total of 24.5 as he would become the clear No. 1 offensive option. Payton Pritchard leads all NBA reserves in points, three-pointers and field goals made and also would have a much bigger role and perhaps start. Boston is 2-4 ATS in its past six.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Hawks vs. Celtics?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 18 Jan 3:23am | - | - | O +234.5 -110 |
Closing 19 Jan 2:03am | - | - | O +207.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
Hawks Team Leaders
Points |
23.69 |
Assists |
11.51 |
Rebounds |
9.97 |
FG% |
80 |
Steals |
2.98 |
Blocks |
1 |
Points |
27.04 |
Assists |
5.58 |
Rebounds |
8.69 |
FG% |
100 |
Steals |
1.22 |
Blocks |
1.62 |
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
Points |
23.69 |
Assists |
11.51 |
Rebounds |
9.97 |
FG% |
80 |
Steals |
2.98 |
Blocks |
1 |
Points |
27.04 |
Assists |
5.58 |
Rebounds |
8.69 |
FG% |
100 |
Steals |
1.22 |
Blocks |
1.62 |
Injuries
Vit Krejci (SG)
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)
Trae Young (PG)
Trae Young (PG)
Trae Young (PG)
Trae Young (PG)
Trae Young (PG)
Trae Young (PG)
Clint Capela (C)
Trae Young (PG)
Xavier Tillman (PF)
Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Torrey Craig (PF)
Jrue Holiday (PG)
Payton Pritchard (PG)
Jayson Tatum (SF)
Sam Hauser (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Derrick White (PG)
Derrick White (PG)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vit Krejci (SG) | Out indefinitely | Back - 11 / 02 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Krejci is dealing with a lower back injury, and he is expected to miss two to three weeks. |
|||||
Larry Nance Jr. (SF) | Out indefinitely | Leg - 11 / 02 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Nance sustained a non-displaced fracture in his right knee, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Mon | Achilles - 09 / 02 / 25 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
Young is dealing with an achilles injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Magic on Monday. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Sat | Achilles - 08 / 02 / 25 | 5-0 | 2-3 | + - |
Young is battling a right achilles tendinitis, but he is expected to feature in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Wizards. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Fri | Achilles - 06 / 02 / 25 | 5-0 | 2-3 | + - |
Young is nursing with a achilles injury, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Friday. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Wed | Achilles - 04 / 02 / 25 | 6-0 | 3-3 | + - |
Young is laid up with an Achilles, but he is projected to be active against the Spurs on Wednesday. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Mon | Achilles - 02 / 02 / 25 | 7-0 | 4-3 | + - |
Young is dealing with an achilles injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will kit up against the Pistons on Monday. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Sat | Hamstring - 31 / 01 / 25 | 7-1 | 5-3 | + - |
Young is nursing a hamstring injury, and he is projected to suit up against the Pacers on Saturday. |
|||||
Clint Capela (C) | Out indefinitely | Back - 29 / 01 / 25 | 9-1 | 5-5 | + - |
Capela has been sidelined due to an personal reasons, and it is unclear when he will return to action. |
|||||
Trae Young (PG) | Prob Thurs | Hamstring - 29 / 01 / 25 | 9-1 | 5-5 | + - |
Young is bothered by a hamstring injury, but he is projected to suit up against the Cavaliers on Thursday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xavier Tillman (PF) | Ques Feb 20 | Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Tillman is bothered by left knee inflammation, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Sixers on Thursday, February 20th. |
|||||
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) | Ques Mon | Illness - 09 / 02 / 25 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
Porzingis left the lineup due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Monday. |
|||||
Torrey Craig (PF) | Ques Wed | Ankle - 08 / 02 / 25 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
Craig is managing a right ankle injury, and its is not clear if he will suit up for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs. |
|||||
Jrue Holiday (PG) | Ques Feb 20 | Shoulder - 05 / 02 / 25 | 4-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Holiday is hampered by a right shoulder impingement, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Sixers on Thursday, February 20th. |
|||||
Payton Pritchard (PG) | Ques Tues | Illness - 02 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 4-3 | + - |
Pritchard is ailing with illness, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. |
|||||
Jayson Tatum (SF) | Ques Wed | Knee - 28 / 01 / 25 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
Tatum is dealing with a knee injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Chicago on Wednesday. |
|||||
Sam Hauser (SF) | Prob Fri | Hip - 27 / 01 / 25 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
Hauser is nursing a right hip impingement, and he is expected to be available against the Pelicans on Friday. |
|||||
Al Horford (C) | Prob Fri | Toe - 26 / 01 / 25 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
Horford is dealing with a toe injury, and he is likely to suit up against the Pelicans on Friday. |
|||||
Derrick White (PG) | Ques Wed | Shin - 26 / 01 / 25 | 6-4 | 6-4 | + - |
White is dealing with a right shin contusion, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Chicago on Wednesday. |
|||||
Derrick White (PG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 24 / 01 / 25 | 6-6 | 7-5 | + - |
White is dealing with a knee injury, but he is projected to play against the Mavericks on Saturday. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Jan 3:23am - - O +234.5 -110 Closing 19 Jan 2:03am - - O +207.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
Hawks Team Leaders
Points 23.69
Assists 11.51
Rebounds 9.97
FG% 80
Steals 2.98
Blocks 1
Points 27.04
Assists 5.58
Rebounds 8.69
FG% 100
Steals 1.22
Blocks 1.62
-
- Regular Season
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 23.69
Assists 11.51
Rebounds 9.97
FG% 80
Steals 2.98
Blocks 1
Points 27.04
Assists 5.58
Rebounds 8.69
FG% 100
Steals 1.22
Blocks 1.62
-
Injuries
Vit Krejci (SG)
Out indefinitely Back - 11 / 02 / 25Larry Nance Jr. (SF)
Out indefinitely Leg - 11 / 02 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Mon Achilles - 09 / 02 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Sat Achilles - 08 / 02 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Fri Achilles - 06 / 02 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Wed Achilles - 04 / 02 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Mon Achilles - 02 / 02 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 31 / 01 / 25Clint Capela (C)
Out indefinitely Back - 29 / 01 / 25Trae Young (PG)
Prob Thurs Hamstring - 29 / 01 / 25Xavier Tillman (PF)
Ques Feb 20 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25Kristaps Porzingis (PF)
Ques Mon Illness - 09 / 02 / 25Torrey Craig (PF)
Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 02 / 25Jrue Holiday (PG)
Ques Feb 20 Shoulder - 05 / 02 / 25Payton Pritchard (PG)
Ques Tues Illness - 02 / 02 / 25Jayson Tatum (SF)
Ques Wed Knee - 28 / 01 / 25Sam Hauser (SF)
Prob Fri Hip - 27 / 01 / 25Al Horford (C)
Prob Fri Toe - 26 / 01 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Ques Wed Shin - 26 / 01 / 25Derrick White (PG)
Prob Sat Knee - 24 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Vit Krejci (SG) Out indefinitely Back - 11 / 02 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Krejci is dealing with a lower back injury, and he is expected to miss two to three weeks.
Larry Nance Jr. (SF) Out indefinitely Leg - 11 / 02 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Nance sustained a non-displaced fracture in his right knee, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Mon Achilles - 09 / 02 / 25 3-0 1-2 + - Young is dealing with an achilles injury, but he is expected to feature in the lineup against the Magic on Monday.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Sat Achilles - 08 / 02 / 25 5-0 2-3 + - Young is battling a right achilles tendinitis, but he is expected to feature in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Wizards.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Fri Achilles - 06 / 02 / 25 5-0 2-3 + - Young is nursing with a achilles injury, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Friday.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Wed Achilles - 04 / 02 / 25 6-0 3-3 + - Young is laid up with an Achilles, but he is projected to be active against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Mon Achilles - 02 / 02 / 25 7-0 4-3 + - Young is dealing with an achilles injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will kit up against the Pistons on Monday.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Sat Hamstring - 31 / 01 / 25 7-1 5-3 + - Young is nursing a hamstring injury, and he is projected to suit up against the Pacers on Saturday.
Clint Capela (C) Out indefinitely Back - 29 / 01 / 25 9-1 5-5 + - Capela has been sidelined due to an personal reasons, and it is unclear when he will return to action.
Trae Young (PG) Prob Thurs Hamstring - 29 / 01 / 25 9-1 5-5 + - Young is bothered by a hamstring injury, but he is projected to suit up against the Cavaliers on Thursday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Xavier Tillman (PF) Ques Feb 20 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 2-0 0-2 + - Tillman is bothered by left knee inflammation, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Sixers on Thursday, February 20th.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF) Ques Mon Illness - 09 / 02 / 25 3-1 2-2 + - Porzingis left the lineup due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Monday.
Torrey Craig (PF) Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 02 / 25 3-1 2-2 + - Craig is managing a right ankle injury, and its is not clear if he will suit up for Wednesday's game versus the Spurs.
Jrue Holiday (PG) Ques Feb 20 Shoulder - 05 / 02 / 25 4-2 3-3 + - Holiday is hampered by a right shoulder impingement, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Sixers on Thursday, February 20th.
Payton Pritchard (PG) Ques Tues Illness - 02 / 02 / 25 4-3 4-3 + - Pritchard is ailing with illness, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Jayson Tatum (SF) Ques Wed Knee - 28 / 01 / 25 6-4 6-4 + - Tatum is dealing with a knee injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active against the Chicago on Wednesday.
Sam Hauser (SF) Prob Fri Hip - 27 / 01 / 25 6-4 6-4 + - Hauser is nursing a right hip impingement, and he is expected to be available against the Pelicans on Friday.
Al Horford (C) Prob Fri Toe - 26 / 01 / 25 6-4 6-4 + - Horford is dealing with a toe injury, and he is likely to suit up against the Pelicans on Friday.
Derrick White (PG) Ques Wed Shin - 26 / 01 / 25 6-4 6-4 + - White is dealing with a right shin contusion, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Chicago on Wednesday.
Derrick White (PG) Prob Sat Knee - 24 / 01 / 25 6-6 7-5 + - White is dealing with a knee injury, but he is projected to play against the Mavericks on Saturday.