NBA Handicapping Predictions – Hawks vs Celtics
The jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference playoff standings is in full form right now.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics
8:00 PM EST
NBA Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NBA Betting Favorite: Boston -3
Over/Under: 178.5
As it stands right now, these two teams would play each other in the first round of the playoffs with the Celtics having home court advantage.
The Hawks actually have the better record, but Boston leads their division. This is a key game for deciding the seeding heading into the playoffs.
After Boston blew a big lead against a short-handed Bulls team last week, Doc Rivers ripped his team in a way we haven’t seen before. It seems the team has responded very well. The Celtics held Indiana to 72 points and Philadelphia to 79 points in two big wins right after that tough loss in Chicago. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Last night’s game at Miami may have been the Celtics best game of the year. Boston was 7.5-point underdogs, but they won 115-107 thanks to their red hot shooting. Boston shot 61% from the floor in the massive win over the Heat. Kevin Garnett’s offensive resurgence has been key to the team’s success the last few days. Rajon Rondo has double digit assists in 18 straight games.
Atlanta comes into this game on a three-game winning streak, but that includes two wins over the hapless Charlotte Bobcats. The Hawks have done a nice job holding their own on the road this year. Atlanta is 15-15 away from home. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith both average 18.9 points per game.
Jeff Teague’s maturation at the point guard spot has really helped this team over the course of the season. Teague is a play maker who has the ability to score if the team needs his scoring.
The Hawks rely heavily on three-point shooting. Atlanta is fifth in the NBA in three-point shooting at 37.1%.
Boston hasn’t been good in back-to-back situations this year. The Celtics are 6-10-1 ATS in this scheduling spot. Still, I think last night’s win is a major momentum-builder for the team. Boston should stay focused and get the win.
Prediction: Boston 92 Atlanta 86
