The Boston Celtics host Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarlerfinals against the Atlanta Hawks at the TD Garden. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Apr. 22 and will air on ES2, CNE, FxS and #0.
The Celtics are expecting better results after their 89-72 loss to the Hawks on Tuesday. Amir Johnson had a good outing, recording 14 points, eight rebounds, and one block for Boston.
Points could be at a premium in this matchup between two of the league’s elite defenses. The Celtics rank fifth in the NBA in defensive efficiency (101.4), while the Hawks are second (99.2). Furthermore, the defense of the Hawks should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re second in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 47.7%), while the offense of the Celtics ranks 27th in effective field goal percentage (48.6%).
The Celtics enter the game with records of 48-36 Straight Up (SU) and 42-40-2 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 3-7 ATS. The Celtics are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throw percentage, shooting an impressive .789 from the free throw line. Boston is one of the most disciplined teams in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.79. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Celtics prevent teams from making three-pointers on the defensive end, ranking fourth in the league with a .335 opponent field-goal percentage from three-point range. Something to watch out for is if Boston can force its opponents into turnovers and convert them into baskets. They’ve done an excellent job of that all year with an average of 18.5 points off turnovers per game.
On the other side, the Hawks have a record of 42-40-2 ATS and 50-34 SU. In Eastern Conference games, Atlanta has gone 50-34 SU and 42-40-2 ATS. Teams seem to consistently miss shots against the Hawks, who are the top team in the league in terms of opponent field goal percentage allowed at .429. A large part of Atlanta’s game is creating turnovers and turning them into points. They are scoring 18.3 points per game off turnovers, which ranks fourth in the league. Atlanta may be taking trips to the free throw line early and often with the Celtics averaging 22.4 fouls per game, one of the highest marks in the NBA.
Atlanta beat Boston in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 8-2. With a 6-4 record, the Hawks also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Atl
Notes
On average, Atlanta puts up 102.7 points per game (ranked 13th). Boston ranks 14th in points allowed per game with 102.3.
Atlanta puts up an average of 102.1 points per away game (ranked ninth). Boston ranks 14th in points allowed per home game with 100.5.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Hawks are 34-9 on the season. When the Celtics score fewer than 100, they are a poor 7-16.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Hawks are just 16-25 this season. Boston is a solid 41-20 when registering triple digits.
The Hawks have an offensive rating of 103.2 (ranked 20th), while the Celtics rank fifth for their defensive rating of 101.4.
The Atlanta Hawks average a field goal percentage of 45.6% this season. The Boston Celtics have a losing record of 9-23 when opponents have a FG% of 45.6% or greater.
The Atlanta Hawks rank lower for their field goal percentage (11th) than their effective field goal percentage (sixth), while the Boston Celtics rank the same for both metrics (27th).
Atlanta ranks near the top of the league in assists at second (25.5 assists per game). Boston is ranked sixth, with 24.1 assists per game.
Boston makes an average of 4.3 blocks per game (ranked 21st). Atlanta ranks higher in blocks with 6.1 (ranked third).
Boston ranks among the best in the league in offensive rebounding at third, while Atlanta is a top-10 team in defensive rebounding (ranked seventh).
Making 9.0 steals per game, Atlanta is ranked fourth in the NBA. Boston has a winning 21-13 record when it gives up at least 9 steals.
