The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics meet Friday in NBA action at the TD Garden. Here’s a Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction. This article will include a Celtics vs. Hawks Pick.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Atlanta Hawks beat the Pistons and Grizzlies and play the Kings next. The Hawks have won 14 of their last 15 games.
The Atlanta Hawks are averaging 117.9 points on 47.3 percent shooting and allowing 116.5 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Jalen Johnson is averaging 22.7 points and 10.4 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.3 points and 3.4 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer, and Jonathan Kuminga is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Atlanta Hawks are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 77.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing 35.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.4 rebounds per game.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics beat the Thunder, lost to the Timberwolves and play the Hornets next. The Celtics have won 23 of their last 32 games.
The Boston Celtics are averaging 114.4 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 107 points on 44.1 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.5 points and 7 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum is averaging 19.6 points and 8.6 rebounds. Derrick White is the third double-digit scorer, and Payton Pritchard is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 80.6 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 35.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Boston Celtics will win
- The Hawks have lost each of their last 10 games after coming off overtime.
- The Celtics have won each of their last 10 Friday games.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games after coming off overtime.
- The favorites have covered the spread in six of the Hawks’ last seven games.
Why the Atlanta Hawks will win
- The Hawks have won each of their last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have lost two of their last three games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hawks have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points: Facts
- Eight of the Celtics’ last nine games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Hawks’ last five games on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total points line.
Boston Celtics Player Facts
- Payton Pritchard ranks 9th amongst qualified players for assist-turnover ratio (3.9) this season.
- Sam Hauser is one of only 10 players in the league to have made 10+ threes in a game this season.
Atlanta Hawks Player Facts
- Jalen Johnson is one of only two qualified players in the league averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker ranks 3rd in the league for fast break points (283) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (107.0).
- The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (6.2).
- The Hawks rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.4).
- The Hawks rank 1st in the league for field goals made per game this season (43.6).
Celtics vs Hawks Injury Report
The Celtics will be without Nikola Vucevic. Derrick White, Neemias Queta, and Jaylen Brown are questionable.
The Hawks don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Celtics vs Hawks Prediction
The Celtics are looking more and more like a title contender and should be favored at home, but they also have some names on their injury report that need clarity. Potentially no Brown or White? The Hawks have a clean injury report and are hot as fish grease. A statement game for the Hawks and a bit of a letdown spot for the Celtics after beating the Thunder their last time out. The Hawks have won 5 of the last 7 games against the Celtics and this version of Atlanta is as good as any of those teams. Should be a battle, but I want the points with the Hawks given their form and more certainty in terms of the injury report.