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Hawks vs Celtics Prediction 1/17/26 NBA Picks Today

Boston Celtics (25-15) vs. Atlanta Hawks (20-23)
January 17, 2026 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Hawks +3.5; Over/Under: 227.5
(Get latest betting odds)

The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks meet Saturday in NBA action at the State Farm Arena. Here’s a Hawks vs Celtics Prediction. This article will include a Hawks vs Celtics Pick.

Boston Celtics Betting Preview

The Boston Celtics lost to the Pacers, beat the Heat, and they play the Pistons next. The Celtics have won 17 of their last 24 games.

The Boston Celtics are averaging 117.2 points on 47.3 percent shooting and allowing 110.5 points on 45 percent shooting. Jaylen Brown is averaging 29.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Derrick White is averaging 18.6 points and 4.4 rebounds. Payton Pritchard is the third double-digit scorer and Anfernee Simons is grabbing 2.3 rebounds. The Boston Celtics are shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 79 percent from the free throw line. The Boston Celtics are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.4 rebounds per game.

Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview

The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Lakers and Trail Blazers, and they play the Bucks next. The Hawks have lost 15 of their last 22 games.

The Atlanta Hawks are averaging 118.4 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 118.4 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Jalen Johnson is averaging 23.7 points and 10.3 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.6 points and 3.6 rebounds. Kirstaps Porzingis is the third double-digit scorer, and Onyeka Okongwu is grabbing 7.9 rebounds. The Atlanta Hawks are shooting 37.4 percent from beyond the arc and 77.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing 35.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Why the Atlanta Hawks will win

  • The Hawks have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Celtics.
  • The Celtics have lost four of their last five games as road favorites following a road win.
  • The Hawks have covered the spread in 11 of their last 12 games as underdogs after losing as favorites.
  • The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games against Hawks teams that held a losing record.

Why the Boston Celtics will win

  • The Celtics have won each of their last 15 Saturday games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
  • The Hawks have lost seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
  • The Celtics have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites against Southeast Division opponents.
  • The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

  • Seven of the Celtics’ last eight games as favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
  • Each of the Hawks’ last four home games against the Celtics following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.

Atlanta Hawks Player Facts

  • Jalen Johnson is the only player in the league averaging a double-double while shooting at least 30% from three this season.
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker ranks 3rd in the league for fast break points (171) this season.

Boston Celtics Player Facts

  • Neemias Queta ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (65.9%) this season.
  • Derrick White is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 7+ blocks in a game this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Hawks rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (31.0).
  • The Hawks have recorded the largest comeback win from a Q3 deficit this season – trailed by 18 points @ Suns on November 16.
  • The Celtics rank 1st in the league for opponent steals per game this season (5.7).
  • The Celtics rank 1st in the league for turnovers per game this season (11.9).

Hawks vs Celtics Injury Report

The Hawks will be without N’Faly Dante, Zaccharie Risacher, and Kristaps Porzingis. Dyson Daniels is questionable.

The Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum and Josh Minott. Payton Pritchard is doubtful.

Hawks vs Celtics Prediction

The Hawks have won 4 of the last 5 games against the Celtics, which includes a road overtime win last week. So, I guess the Hawks are getting some respect because of it. I’m still not buying it. We’ve been fading the Hawks a lot lately, and it’s paid off for the most part. The Celtics have failed to cover 4 of their last 5 games, but they’re still winning games and are still profitable with a 21-19 ATS record. I’d simply need more points to consider the Hawks. There’s a gap between these sides and the Hawks injury report doesn’t help. I’ll lay the points with the C’s on the road.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: Boston Celtics -3.5

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Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

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