NBA
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks Predictions, Picks and Game Preview
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated07 Aug 2024
Our Expert presents NBA Picks for the battle between familiar foes; the Boston Celtics at the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Plus, discover how you can claim a $2,500 deposit bonus when you sign up at BetUS.
NBA fans can claim a $2,500 deposit bonus signing up to Betus to wager on Celtics vs Hawks
NBA – Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks
Wednesday, November 17 at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. EST
Game can be seen on Bally Sports Southeast, NNC Sports Boston and NBA League Pass
Tonight, two familiar foes with quite the rivalry will go head-to-head when the Boston Celtics take on the Atlanta Hawks.
The Boston Celtics are coming off two consecutive games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and enter with a 7-7 record, while the Atlanta Hawks come in as winners of their last two following a six-game losing steak.
For a full preview, the latest odds, and free picks for the game, read on:
Celtics vs Hawks Odds
Below are the latest Celtics vs Piston odds that can be found on BetUS, plus a bonus prop bet.
| Game Lines |
Celtics |
Hawks |
| Moneyline | +165 | -190 |
| Spread | +4.5 (-110) | -4.5 (-110) |
| Total Points | U216 (-110) | O216 (-110) |
| Bonus Prop: Clint Capela O11.5 rebounds | n/a | -120 |
Celtics vs Hawks Preview
It would be fair to say both teams had high hopes and lofty expectations coming into the season. Neither team has quite lived up. Celtics fans hoped the change at the head coach spot would help change some things, but that hasn’t been the case early on. You could tell when Celtics guard Marcus Smart came out and voiced his frustrations of “standing in the corner” while players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have the ball. That is partially true, but Smart, who already takes some questionable shots, should not be the one saying.
It also kind of a mute point when he said it considering how bad the defense was in that game. So you have the wrong person saying, likely because he wants more shots, when anyone who has watched the Celtics in his tenure would advocate for less shots, as well as saying it when the offense wasn’t the problem on the night he said it.
As for the Hawks, the playoff hangover is real. Trae Young has already said that the regular season isn’t as exciting as the playoffs.
Looking at the roster, I thought the depth of the team would be its biggest strength, but a lot of those guys haven’t performed early. Before going out with injury, the Hawks were hoping De’Andre Hunter would take the next step, as it looked like he was doing before his injury last year. But despite putting on muscle, Hunter goes to the rim even less now.
The role guys like Kevin Huerter and Cam Reddish haven’t been sharp either, and Clint Capela doesn’t seem like the same defensive anchor down low.
Above all else, Young’s shooting from deep has been terrible. For a guy we enjoy watching take those deep threes from the logo, and perhaps that was his brand coming in, he doesn’t make a lot of them. However, he still finds a way to impact the game even when the shooting isn’t there with his 9.1 assists per game. He has been one of the players that have had to adapt most to the new foul-calling, or lack there of, as he cannot just jump into the defender for two or three free throws anymore.
Celtics vs Hawks Team News
Jaylen Brown will remain out for the Celtics and not play Wednesday. Joining him on the injury list is big man Robert Williams III. He was injured against the Cavs and will miss this game with left knee soreness.
As for the Hawks, they will for sure be without Hunter, as he will need to undergo surgery on a tendon injury and will be sidelined for two months.
Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic are both considered game-time decisions against the Celtics.
Celtics vs Hawks Pick
With both teams dealing with significant injuries, this game almost turns into who can make it out the healthiest. The Celtics have been disappointing, but I would say the Hawks have been even more disappointing. They’ve managed to get on the right track with consecutive wins, but with the injury news lately and the status of their two shooting guards, I’ll take the Boston Celtics and the 4.5 points.
Celtics to cover +6.5 spread is our pick of the game.
