The Boston Celtics (36-27) look to snap their two-game losing skid when they host the Atlanta Hawks (29-31) Tuesday. Tip-off in this Eastern Conference matchup will be at 7:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden. Below, we look at the Hawks vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hawks have split their first two games since the All-Star break, beating the Toronto Raptors 127-100 Saturday after losing 112-108 to the Chicago Bulls two days prior. They’re just 5-5 over their last 10 games and have failed to get above .500 on the year.
Atlanta is putting up plenty of points, ranking eighth in the NBA in scoring (112.4 points per game) and are first in 3-point percentage (37.7%), but it’s tied for 26th in defensive efficiency and allow the sixth-highest 3-point percentage to opponents (36.0%).
Boston has won eight of its last 10 games and is now nine games above .500. That’s largely thanks to the team’s overall defense, which allows the lowest field goal percentage (43.0%) in the NBA and the fourth-fewest points per game (103.9).
The Celtics are still struggling from 3-point range, shooting 34.4% from deep, but they’ve been scoring at a higher clip in their last 10 games, topping their season average of 109.2 points six times in that span.
Hawks at Celtics odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hawks +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Celtics -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hawks +6.5 (-107) | Celtics -6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hawks at Celtics key injuries
Hawks
- PF John Collins (heel) doubtful
- SG Lou Williams (hip) out
Celtics
- None
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Hawks at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 117, Hawks 113
Money line
The Celtics were never above .500 from Dec. 8 to Jan. 17, struggling to find a groove on offense during that stretch. However, they’ve gone 13-5 since then and now sit sixth in the East.
I like the way they’re playing right now, but it’s hard to get behind them at -300 when they’ve had so many slip-ups against lesser opponents this season – including losses to the Indiana Pacers as 9.5-point favorites and Detroit Pistons as 12-point favorites in their last four games.
PASS on the money line here.
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Against the spread
Both the Celtics and Hawks are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 games, so there hasn’t been a real strong trend to follow. However, the Hawks are 5-2 ATS against the Celtics in their last seven meetings.
I like the HAWKS +6.5 (-107) to cover the spread, getting a fair amount of points against a team that has a tendency to go cold from the field too often.
Over/Under
The total has gone Over four times and pushed once in the Celtics’ last five games. Boston is shooting the ball well right now despite some struggles against the Pacers last time out, and the Hawks can light up the scoreboard with their league-leading 3-point percentage.
Bet the OVER 226.5 (-110).
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