2016 NBA Futures – Series Pick
Looking for Celtics vs. Hawks free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NBA Futures. The Hawks lost their last 2 games of the season, but both were on the road. They have home court in this series, which will be key.
NBA Lines & Matchup Insight
Celtics vs. Hawks Free Series Predictions – NBA Playoffs Odds & Pick
They are a very balanced team that can score and play D and took 3 of 4 games from Boston in the regular season.
The Celtics may have surpassed expectations this season, but they will have to beat the Hawks in Atlanta in at least one game to take the series.
It is interesting that while the Hawks have the better betting odds than the Celtics to win this series and the Eastern Conference Boston has better odds to win the outright title.
Let’s break it down.
NBA Championship Lines – 2016 NBA Title Odds from 5Dimes
- Celtics 81-1: | Eastern Conference Odds: 21-1
- Hawks: 101-1 | Eastern Conference Odds: 17-1
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks Series Prices
- Boston Celtics: +145
- Atlanta Hawks: -165
Celtics vs. Hawks Round 1 Series Schedule
- Game 1 – Sat, April 16 Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
- Game 2 – Tue, April 19 Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
- Game 3 – Fri, April 22 Atlanta at Boston, 8 p.m.
- Game 4 – Sun, April 24 Atlanta at Boston, 6 p.m.
- Game 5 – Tue, April 26 Boston at Atlanta, TBD (If necessary)
- Game 6 – Thur, April 2 Atlanta at Boston, TBD (If necessary)
- Game 7 – Sat, April 30 Boston at Atlanta, TBD (If necessary)
Celtics vs. Hawks Free Series Predictions: Guards
The Celtics are a guard led team, as their top 3 scorers are guards in Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, and Evan Turner. Thomas is the leading scorer averaging 22.2 ppg and while he has been scoring as of late he is a combined 16/47 from the field in his last three games.
Not only can the Celtics’ guards, score, but share the rock as well since they rank 6th in the league in assists per game.
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The Hawks also have a solid backcourt with 2nd leading scorer Jeff Teague, Dennis Schroder (11 ppg), and sharpshooter Kyle Korver (9.2 ppg).Teague is the player the Celtics need to worry about, as he can shoot, take it to the hole, and dish it out as well.
The Celtics do not have a tall backcourt so good ball movement will be key to get open looks for their shots.
Verdict: I have to go with the Celtics in the backcourt with their trio of guards that are averaging in double figures.
Celtics vs. Hawks Free Series Predictions: Forwards and Center
The Celtics are not great in the frontcourt and while the 2 guys that are averaging in double figures are Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk and they are not true big men. Jae Crowder is the team’s 3rd leading scorer and he is a SF.
Amir Johnson is the only legit PF and he only averaged 7.3 ppg this season, but did pull down 6.4 rebounds per game.
While the Celtics are not strong in the paint the Hawks are with leading scorer and rebounder Paul Millsap and Al Horford (15.2 ppg 7.3 rpg). Millsap has been solid all season and at the end of the season the Hawks beat the Celtics in Atlanta and he went for 31 points and grabbed 16 boards.
The Hawks play solid interior D and they will have to around the rim in this series when the Celtics’ guards head in the paint. Overall, the Hawks rank 6th in the league only giving up an average of 99.2 ppg.
Verdict: Obviously, the Hawks have the big advantage in the paint.
Celtics vs. Hawks Free Series Predictions:
The Hawks beat the Celtics in 3 of 4 games this season and won both in Atlanta. Not only that, but in the 2 games in Atlanta the Hawks scored 121 points and 118 points respectively.
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The Celtics rank 5th in the league in scoring and 13th in opponents’ points per game. They can score with the best, but they have to play better D than they did in allowing the Hawks to light up the scoreboard twice at home.
The tie-breaker between these 2 teams was pretty big since the Celtics are only 17-19 on the road this season and the Hawks have a winning record at home (27-14) and on the road (21-20).
Man, I would love to take the Celtics in this series, but don’t think it will happen.
However, Boston will make this a tough series and they will take it to 7 games, but in Atlanta in that game the Hawks will win and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Series Pick: Hawks in 7
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