Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Preview
At 7:30 ET, the 57-14 Celtics will head to Atlanta to face the 31-39 Hawks. Boston is favored by 11.5 points and has won 9 straight games. The over/under line is set at 225.
This Eastern Conference matchup will be played at State Farm Arena and can be seen on NBCS.
Check out BetCoco for Atlanta Hawks – Boston Celtics odds
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last three games between Atlanta and Boston, the Celtics have dominated the series, going 3-0. This includes a convincing margin of victory of 9 points per contest. Across the last three head-to-head matchups, Boston is averaging 122 points compared to Atlanta at 113.
- In their last ten games away from home, the Celtics have a straight up record of 8-2 while going 8-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 120 points per game in this stretch.
- Across the Hawks last ten home games, the team averaged 106 points per game while allowing 113. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 3-7, while going 3-7 straight-up.
- As the betting underdog, the Hawks have an ATS mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Atlanta posted a straight up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
- Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Celtics have gone 8-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 9-1.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Prediction
The Celtics come into today’s game against the Hawks as the heavy favorites (-11.5). This season, Boston has been favored in 68 of their 71 games, going 55-13 straight-up and 35-30 against the spread. The team has won 9 straight games as the favorite.
Boston’s O/U record for the season is 35-35-1, and the team has hit the over in their last three games. On average, their games have seen 230.6 points scored, compared to today’s O/U line of 225.
In their most recent game, the Celtics defeated the Bulls by a score of 124-113. The O/U line for that game was 219, and Boston covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites.
Overall, the Celtics are 57-14 this season, which is the best record in the Eastern Conference. In games against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 38-7 and 19-7 against the West. On the road, Boston is 25-11.
The Celtics have been one of the NBA’s most potent offenses this season, ranking second in scoring at 121.2 points per game. In terms of their road scoring, they are also second in the league at 119.0 points per game.
When it comes to their scoring compared to the NBA average, the Celtics have outscored it in 74.6% of their games this season. In terms of pace, Boston is 18th in the league at 97.5 possessions per game.
One of the main reasons for the Celtics’ offensive success has been their three-point shooting. They lead the NBA in three-point makes per game at 16.7 and are shooting 39% from beyond the arc this season.
At this time, the Celtics’ defense is positioned 5th in the NBA, permitting 109.4 points per game. When it comes to defending inside the arc, the Celtics squad is permitting opposing teams to shoot at a clip of 52.2% inside the arc, and they’re also giving up 34.5% from downtown.
This season, the Hawks have an O/U record of 37-33-0, and their games have averaged 239.9 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 225 points.
Atlanta’s last three games have all gone over the O/U line. In their most recent game, they defeated the Hornets by a score of 132-91. The O/U line for that game was 212.5 points.
Against the spread, the Hawks are 24-46 this season, including a record of 12-22 ATS at home. As the underdog, they are 10-21 ATS this season, and they have failed to cover in their last two games as the underdog at home.
In the Eastern Conference, the Hawks are currently in 10th place with a record of 31-39. In the Southeast Division, they are in 3rd place. At home, the Hawks are 17-17 compared to 14-22 on the road.
Looking at their ATS record, the Hawks are 12-22 at home and 12-24 on the road. As the underdog, they are 9-22 and 10-21 as the underdog ATS on the road.
At home this season, the Hawks are averaging 122.8 points per game, which is 4th in the NBA. Overall, they are 5th in the league at 119.2 points per game. In terms of field goal percentage, Atlanta is 21st at 46%. In terms of pace, the Hawks are 6th in the NBA at 100.1 possessions per game.
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Hawks are 6th in the NBA in made threes at 13.7 per game. However, they are just 16th in three-point shooting percentage at 36%. Inside the arc, Atlanta is 21st in shooting percentage at 53%.
So far this season, the Hawks have outscored the NBA scoring average in 58.6% of their games. In terms of assists, Atlanta is 16th in the league at 26.5 per game. When it comes to free throws, the Hawks are 3rd in made free throws at 19.3 per game.
Facing Boston, the Hawks aims for a better defensive performance, given their current average of 120.7 points allowed per game (27th). The Atlanta defense has allowed opponents to shoot 38.9% from beyond the arc this season. Opposing teams are also hitting 49.5% of their field goal attempts vs. Atlanta.
With a 11.5-point advantage on the spread, our projections favor the Celtics to secure a 115-112 victory.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Betting Tips
- Take the Celtics on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Hawks (+11.5)
- Projecting a combined 227 points, we like the over
Atlanta Hawks Injury Report
- Trae Young – Hand – Out
- Onyeka Okongwu – Toe – Out
- Saddiq Bey – ACL – Out
- Jalen Johnson – Ankle – Out
- AJ Griffin – Ankle – Out
- Mouhamed Gueye – Elbow – Out
- Kobe Bufkin – Toe – Out
Boston Celtics Injury Report
- Jrue Holiday – Shoulder – Out
- Derrick White – Hand – Questionable
- Xavier Tillman Sr. – Knee – Questionable
