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.
- 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