Celtics vs. Hawks: Prediction, preview, how to watch, stream, start

Boston should take the Hawks seriously as they face them at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

The Atlanta Hawks may be in the Eastern Conference’s 10th-place spot to the Boston Celtics’ first, but Boston should take the Hawks seriously as they face them at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

In their last five games, the Hawks have beaten the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors, and nearly beat the Los Angeles Clippers as well. So long as Boston takes their opponent seriously, they should build on their first-place lead in the East. But this contest could easily be a loss if the Celtics have their mind on the trade deadline or All-Star break.

With another two days of rest behind them, we think that shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish.