Atlanta Hawks (42-42) vs. Boston Celtics (58-25)
April 18, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Boston Celtics -10; Over/Under: +229
(Get latest betting odds)
The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics meet Tuesday in Game 2 of the NBA East First Round Playoffs at the TD Garden. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Atlanta Hawks are averaging 99 points on 38.8 percent shooting and allowing 112 points on 47.7 percent shooting. Dejounte Murray is averaging 24 points and 8 rebounds, while Trae Young is averaging 16 points and 3 rebounds. Clint Capela is the third double-digit scorer, and John Collins is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Atlanta Hawks are shooting 17.2 percent from beyond the arc and 81.8 percent from the free throw line. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing 39.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45 rebounds per game.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 112 points on 47.7 percent shooting and allowing 99 points on 38.8 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum is averaging 25 points and 2 assists. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer and Robert Williams III is grabbing 8 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc and 83.3 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 17.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 58 rebounds per game.
The Hawks are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games and 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 4-1-1 in Hawks last 6 overall. The over is 7-3 in Celtics last 10 Tuesday games. The Hawks are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Boston and 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
The Boston Celtics blowing the doors off here again would surprise nobody as they’re the better, more balanced team and the Hawks don’t play a lick of defense. However, the Hawks have to compete if they’re going to put up a fight this series, and this is just the third time this season they’re double-digit underdogs. Also, the Celtics are 8-10 ATS as double-digit favorites. Lot of points for a playoff game that includes a desperate team. Give me the Hawks and the points.
