The Atlanta Hawks (3-15) will try to snap their nine-game losing streak when they challenge the Boston Celtics (9-9) at State Farm Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 219.5 points with Boston opening as an 8.5-point favorite.
Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks ATS Prediction
The Celtics are hoping for a better outcome after failing to cover as 14.5-point favorites in their 117-109 loss to the New York Knicks in their last contest. The game’s total points (226) came in over the projected point total of 215.5. New York’s 0.579 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Boston, who had a mark of 0.443. The Knicks’ mark was above their season average of 0.492, while the Celtics’ was below their season average of 0.506. Kyrie Irving led Boston in scoring with 22 points on 9-for-25 shooting.,
In the Hawks’ previous matchup, they lost to the Toronto Raptors, 124-108. They were unable to cover as 8-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (232) were over the projected point total of 224.5. Toronto’s rebounding was their biggest strength. The Raptors had 14 offensive rebounds and 55 total rebounds, while the Hawks had nine and 34, respectively. With 26 points on 11-for-13 shooting, Jeremy Lin was the top scorer from either team.
After the Celtics won three out of four meetings against the Hawks last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last contest, Atlanta won 112-106. Atlanta’s 0.587 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Boston, who had a rate of 0.567.
Boston heads into the game with records of 9-9 straight up (SU) and 6-12 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is extremely precise when predicting totals of Celtics games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Atlanta owns records of 3-15 SU and 7-11 ATS. Vegas has a tendency to place the total low when the Hawks are involved, as 10 of their 18 games have finished over the total.
Irving has averaged 26 points,7.2 assists,2.8 steals over the last five games for Boston.
Atlanta might struggle to put up points as they go head-to-head against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Boston ranks first in defensive efficiency, while the Hawks rank 29th in offensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Celtics commit the third-fewest errors in the league (turnover percentage of 12.7 percent), while the gambling defense of the Hawks causes the fourth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.4 percent).
Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Celtics, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Boston is 2-8 ATS with 5 overs and 5 unders.
At home, Atlanta is 2-6 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Boston is 4-2 when they allow below 100 points, while Atlanta is 0-2.
The Hawks are 3-11 when they score more than 100 points, while the Celtics are 9-6.
Boston ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.2) while Atlanta ranks 29th (22.8).
The Celtics rank third in steals allowed per game (6.7) while the Hawks rank 26th (9.6).
Boston ranks eighth in second chance points allowed per game (12.2) while Atlanta ranks last (17.3).
The Celtics rank third in fast break points allowed per game (10.8) while the Hawks rank 25th (16.2).
Boston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.7) while Atlanta ranks 26th (27.3).
The Celtics average 35.94444444444444 three pointers per game, which ranks 3 in the NBA. The Hawks rank 23 in three pointers allowed per game (33.44444444444444).
Atlanta ranks 10 in points in the paint per game (48.44444444444444) while Boston ranks 29 (39.77777777777778).
The Celtics average 46.611111111111114 rebounds per game, which ranks 10 in the NBA. The Hawks rank 28 in rebounds allowed per game (49.22222222222222).
Boston ranks 2 in blocks allowed per game (3.8333333333333335) while Atlanta ranks 17 (5.5).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five games, Boston is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Atlanta is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, up from 1.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 102.4 points per game (5.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 119.2 points per game (0.6 above their season average).
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