Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, November 16 (Can Boston Win 8th Straight?)
By Peter Dewey
Two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference face off on Wednesday night, as the Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum.
Boston comes into this game on a seven-game winning streak, playing some of the best basketball in the NBA and ranking No. 1 in the league in offensive rating.
Atlanta, fresh off its second win over the Milwaukee Bucks this season, has thrived with the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray backcourt so far in the 2022-23 campaign. Both of these teams enter this game 7-7 against the spread, but Atlanta has become infamous for not covering the spread when it loses.
So, whenever the Hawks are set as an underdog, you’re better off betting them on the moneyline.
Back again, because the Hawks are 0-5 ATS in losses this season.
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) November 14, 2022
They’re a road dog against Milwaukee tonight, so if you want to bet Atlanta, bet it to win outright.
The Hawks haven’t covered in 42 straight losses dating back to last season. @BetSided https://t.co/HRSTr1qnAT
Can Atlanta pull off another upset tonight? Or will Boston extend its winning streak?
Here’s a look at the latest odds for this primetime showdown:
Celtics vs. Hawks Odds, Spread and Total
Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction and Pick
Even though Boston’s defense has taken a step back so far this season without Robert Williams III, the Celtics are still third in the NBA because of their elite offensive attack.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have led the way, and Boston may get Malcolm Brogdon (questionable) back in the lineup for this game.
Even though Atlanta is the No. 3 seed in the East at the moment, the team is 13th in the league in net rating, ranking 13th in offense and 10th in defense this season.
If Marcus Smart (questionable) is good to go for Boston, I think it has a major advantage here. The Celtics are going to be a tough cover for the Hawks, especially if they go small and play Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu off the floor.
Young and Murray may be able to keep up with Tatum and Brown, but Boston’s offense is humming right now as a whole, putting up 117 or more points in six of the seven games on this win streak.
The Celtics erased a double-digit deficit against Oklahoma City on Monday in a matter of minutes, and I think they play with a little more sense of urgency against another Eastern Conference contender.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.