Atlanta vs Boston NBA Hoops Handicapping
The Atlanta Hawks will look to solidify their run at a playoff spot when they arrive in Boston on Wednesday to take on the slumping Celtics who have lost five straight. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: CSNN
Spread: Boston -2
Over/Under: 199.5
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Despite losing nine of its last 10, Atlanta (26-30) is holding onto the final playoff spot in the East over Detroit, and needs to turn things around after Tuesday’s 107-103 home loss to Chicago.
The Hawks were up in that one, 103-101 with 1:06 left, but Chicago went ahead for good with just seconds reaming.
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Jeff Teague poured in 26 points to lead the Hawks, who were once again without All-Star forward Paul Millsap for the second straight game, while forward Kyle Korver, who has made at least one 3-pointer in an NBA-record 125 consecutive games, added 16.
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Korver nailed his first three attempts from beyond the arc, helping Atlanta build its lead to 14 in the first, but the Bulls got hot in the second to mount a 54-51 halftime lead.
The Hawks have been plagued by injuries and are expected to be without Millsap for a third straight game when they take on the Celtics who are coming off a 0-4 road trip, which concluded with a 110-98 loss at lowly Utah.
Much like Atlanta, Boston (19-39) is also battling the injury bug, as forward Jared Sullinger and guard Avery Bradley are both expected to remain sidelined for Wednesday’s game. Meaning the Celtics are missing two of the five players who average double-digit scoring.
The others being Jeff Green and Kelly Olynyk, who each scored 21 points for the Celtics against the Jazz, along with Rajon Rondo, who contributed 18 points and 10 assists and has reached double digits in assists in six of his last seven outings.
Matt’s Prediction: These two teams split the first two meetings this season with the road team winning each.
This game is going to be close, and even though they have been a poor on the road all season long, the Celtics are a below average home team, meaning Atlanta could catch a break here.
Hawks 101, Celtics 97
