The 7th-seeded Atlanta Hawks visit TD Garden to battle the 2-seed Boston Celtics Saturday. Tip for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Hawks vs. Celtics odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
After a few thrilling play-in games, the field is set, and the Celtics will battle the Hawks, who took down the Heat in Miami 116-105 Tuesday. Atlanta has won 4 of its last 6 and is 3-3 against the spread (ATS) over that span. It ended the season 36-46 ATS and 46-35-1 O/U. The Hawks are led by G Trae Young, who averages 26.2 points per game.
The Celtics, on the other hand, have looked dominant for most of the season and are among the favorites to win the NBA Championship. Boston ended the season 45-36-1 ATS and 43-38-1 O/U. The Celtics won their last 3 games and covered their last 4. They beat the Hawks 120-114 in their last regular-season game, covering as a 4.5-point favorite. Boston won and covered all 3 games against Atlanta this year.
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Hawks at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hawks +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Celtics -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hawks +9.5 (-110) | Celtics -9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 231.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Hawks at Celtics key injuries
Hawks
- None
Celtics
- F Danilo Gallinari (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Hawks at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 119, Hawks 108
Moneyline
PASS.
The Celtics were 32-9 at home this season, tying the Bucks for the best home record in the conference. Atlanta, on the other hand, was just 17-24 on the road.
At these values, the Celtics (-450) are too expensive to play, and the Hawks (+350) don’t quite pose good enough odds to take either. Ultimately skip this play.
Against the spread
LEAN CELTICS -9.5 (-110).
Given how the season ends (many players sitting the last few games), year-long trends seem more useful. Boston was one of the best ATS teams at home this season, posting a 24-17 ATS record at TD Garden.
The Hawks were just 19-22-1 ATS on the road, and they were really a one-dimensional team, ranking 22nd in defensive rating. Meanwhile, the Celtics sat 2nd in offensive and defensive rating and 1st in net rating. At home, they had a 10.1 net rating.
Considering how solid they are on both sides of the ball, expect them to pull away. Take CELTICS -9.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 231.5 (-110).
At the time of writing, pregame.com shows 67% of the tickets on the over yet just 59% of the money for this game. The sharp money is more on the Under with just 33% of the tickets and 41% of the money.
With the Celtics at home, this game may be played at their pace. They ranked 20th in tempo this season and had the league’s 2nd-best defense as well. G Marcus Smart and other Celtic defenders should be able to track Young well.
Both teams rank top 10 in turnover rating as well, so expect a game without many mistakes on the offensive end and therefore not as many transition opportunities.
Considering the Celtics strength and the betting splits, take the UNDER 231.5 (-110).
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