Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/21/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, April 21, 2023

Venue:  State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5, Hawks +5; Over/Under:  228 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Celtics -5, Hawks +5; Over/Under:  229 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Celtics -4.5, Hawks +4.5; Over/Under:  228.5 points

Boston Celtics:  57-25 (1st place, Atlantic Division)

Atlanta Hawks:  41-41 (2nd place, Southeast Division)

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Boston Celtics:  8-2 last 10

Atlanta Hawks:  5-5 last 10

The Celtics finished the regular season with a 57-25 record overall and they were 25-16 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 5 game winning streak with wins coming against the Toronto Raptors twice in a row and the Atlanta Hawks in their last 3 games. Jayson Tatum led the team in points in that game with 29 while Derrick White was next on the team with 26 points. Malcolm Brogdon led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Jayson Tatum led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 55.8% from the field, 45.5% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 111.4 PPG against them. The Celtics have an ATS record of 48-36 this season and their O/U record is 42-40-2.

The Hawks finished the regular season with a 41-41 record overall and they were 24-17 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 2 game losing streak with both losses coming against the Boston Celtics in their last 2 games. Dejounte Murray led the team in points in that game with 29 while Trae Young was next on the team with 24 points. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray each led the team in assists in that game with 6 while De'Andre Hunter led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 42.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 50% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 118.4 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 118.1 PPG against them. The Hawks have an ATS record of 37-47-1 this season and their O/U record is 47-38.

The current betting odds have the Celtics listed as a 5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 3 of a 7-game series between the 2nd seeded Celtics and the 7th seeded Hawks for the 1st round of the playoffs in the NBA Eastern Conference. This is going to be the 1st game of this series in Atlanta but the Hawks already find themselves down 2-0 in the series from their games in Atlanta. They failed to cover the spread in both games as they lost by double digits and have been getting bullied around the court by one of the best teams in the NBA. The Hawks were terrible in road games this year so they have a much better chance in this game as they were 24-17 in home games this season, but the Celtics were still a great road team with their 25-16 road record and it is hard to see the Hawks even winning a game here with how well the Celtics have been playing. The Celtics are on a mission to get back to the NBA finals like they were in last season and they even pulled off a series sweep in the 1st round last year too. There is a lot of value in taking the Celtics here at this number since they have been so good against the Hawks lately, they will take a 3-0 series lead here and put the Hawks in a huge hole. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game.

Celtics Hawks Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, April 21, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Celtics 116 Hawks 108.

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Boston Celtics: 23-9 ATS off a home win. 28-17 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 32-15 UNDER as a road favorite of 6 points or less. 13-6 UNDER after playing 4 consecutive home games.

Atlanta Hawks: 17-26 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent of 10 points or more. 3-10 ATS when playing with 2 days rest. 9-2 UNDER in the first round of the playoffs. 27-19 UNDER after a game where they failed to cover the spread.

Boston Celtics:  D. Gallinari (SF) out for season - Knee.

Atlanta Hawks:  None.

“I can be better. I didn't shoot the ball really well. I had some turnovers where I was just driving and it just left my hands. But I'm going to be better at home.” - Trae Young after their loss against the Celtics in their game on Tuesday, game 2 of this series. 

“We’re so much more of a dynamic team when D-White is asserting himself and being aggressive and not being passive. These last two games (White) being aggressive, making the right play, attacking the rim and not necessarily waiting makes us that much more of a better team.” - Jayson Tatum after their win against the Hawks in their game on Tuesday, game 2 of this series. 

PG Marcus Smart

SG Derrick White

SF Jaylen Brown

PF Jayson Tatum

C Al Horford

PG Trae Young

SG Dejounte Murray

SF De'Andre Hunter

PF John Collins

C Clint Capela

PPG: J. Tatum (30.1)

APG: M. Smart (6.3)

Reb/G: J. Tatum (8.8)

PPG: T. Young (26.2)

APG: T. Young (10.2)

Reb/G: C. Capela (11)

Coaches:

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzulla (1st season)

Atlanta Hawks: Quin Snyder (1st season)