NBA Best Bets: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics prediction, pick, odds
Welcome to sports betting, Massachusetts! You can now legally bet in the state of Massachusetts! Enjoy it! The Boston Celtics will take on the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. This will be the first Celtics game that the people of Massachusetts can bet on. Can the Boston Celtics get the new legal bettors some cash to start the weekend?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's game between the Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks.
Boston is coming off 2 days’ rest, but the Hawks will play in the second game of a back-to-back. That already favors the Celtics in this game. The Celtics score 117.8 points per 100 possessions while shooting an effective field goal percentage of 56.6%. Boston's good at limiting turnovers but won't dominate the offensive glass.
Atlanta's defense has been spotty this season. Fatigue could set in after playing another potentially high-scoring game against the Wizards.
The Hawks have allowed 115.6 points per 100 possessions and have also allowed a 54.8% effective field goal percentage.
If anything, Atlanta is the best at forcing turnovers but doing that against Boston isn't going to be easy.
On the other hand, Atlanta's scoring 115.4 points per 100 possessions. The offense has a lot of talent and should be able to keep turnovers down. But earning second chances will be extremely difficult, with the Celtics allowing just 23.8% of offensive rebounds per game.
The Celtics have also kept teams off the foul line, and the Hawks don't typically play aggressively enough to get there often.
Boston has limited teams to 111.8 points per 100 possessions and allows an effective field goal percentage of 53.4%. The defense has been inconsistent, and they've played in many overtime games.
But Boston defeated a terrific Portland offense, 115-93, and got back on track in a home game. Now they'll take on the Hawks in another game where they should dominate on both sides.
Back the Celtics to get the win for all new Massachusetts bettors. Enjoy the cash when the Celtics earn the win!
