The Boston Celtics aim to take an even more commanding position in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs on Friday. Boston leads the Atlanta Hawks by a 2-0 margin in a best-of-seven series, and the Celtics visit State Farm Arena for Game 3 after winning by a 119-106 margin in Game 2. The Hawks are 24-17 at home this season and aiming to avoid a deeper hole as a significant underdog in the series.
Boston is listed as a 5.5-point road favorite, and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 229 in the latest Celtics vs. Hawks odds. Before you make any Hawks vs. Celtics picks, you need to see the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Hawks and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Hawks vs. Celtics:
- Celtics vs. Hawks spread: Celtics -5.5
- Celtics vs. Hawks over/under: 229 points
- Celtics vs. Hawks money line: Celtics -220, Hawks +180
- BOS: The Celtics are 22-19 against the spread in road games
- ATL: The Hawks are 18-23 against the spread in home games
- Celtics vs. Hawks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Celtics can cover
Boston was an excellent road team during the regular season, out-scoring opponents by more than three points per 100 possessions. The Celtics also have an elite defense that is holding the Hawks to fewer than 1.01 points per possession in the first two games. Boston's defense is swarming and forcing Atlanta to shoot only 40.7% from the field, and the Celtics are keyed by tremendous offensive creation. Boston is shooting 51.7% from the field and 42.4% from 3-point range during the series, averaging 26.5 assists per game.
The Celtics are led by Jayson Tatum, who averaged 30.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during the regular season before putting up 27.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in the first two games against Atlanta. Boston is also benefiting from high-end contributions from Derrick White, who is averaging 25.0 points per game while shooting 62% from the field and 50% from 3-point range in the series. On the whole, Boston scored more than 1.17 points per possession in the regular season and ranked near the top of the league in myriad categories. See which team to back here.
Why the Hawks can cover
The Hawks are producing at a solid level on defense in the series. Atlanta is holding Boston to fewer than 1.12 points per possession in two games, and the Hawks have an outstanding 78.2% defensive rebound rate. The Hawks are also forcing a turnover on 15.9% of defensive possessions against Boston and, in the regular season, Atlanta was well above-average in 3-point defense (35.6%) and free throw attempts allowed (23.2 per game).
On offense, the Hawks have prolific guard play, with Dejounte Murray averaging 26.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in the series. Atlanta isn't shooting the ball well against Boston, but the Hawks are in the top three of the league in turnover rate (12.6%) and free throw accuracy (81.8%). The Hawks also posted a top-eight mark in offensive efficiency during the regular season, scoring more than 1.15 points per possession. Atlanta also produced more than 1.2 points per possession after the All-Star break and after Quin Snyder took over a mid-season coaching change. See which team to back here.
How to make Celtics vs. Hawks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, projecting just four players to score more than 15 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Celtics vs. Hawks? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Hawks vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is 71-37 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
