Hawks vs. Celtics Prediction and Odds (Don't Sleep on Boston's Offense)

The Atlanta Hawks are hanging on to their play-in tournament lives right now heading into Tuesday’s matchup with the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. 

Atlanta is still without forward John Collins (doubtful) as it takes on the league’s No. 2 defense. Boston came back to earth a bit with a loss to the Indiana Pacers in its last game, but the Celtics are still 8-2 in their last 10. 

Atlanta, on the other hand, has still failed to cover in a loss, going 0-31 ATS when it loses and 27-2 ATS when it wins. 

Here are the odds for Tuesday’s matchup via WynnBET: 

Hawks vs. Celtics Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Hawks +7 (-110)
• Celtics -7 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Hawks: +220
• Celtics: -270

Total:

• 226.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Hawks vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick

This is going to be a matchup of strength on strength, as the Hawks are No. 2 in offensive rating while Boston is No. 2 in defensive rating this season. 

Boston is just 11-17 against the spread as a home favorite this year, but if you’re thinking of backing the Hawks, you may want to sprinkle on the moneyline considering that they haven’t covered in a loss all season. 

The difference in this game is going to come on the defensive end for Atlanta, as the Hawks are just 26th in the NBA in defensive rating while Boston has a solid offense (ranking 17th overall and sixth over its last 10 games). 

I think Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown may be a little too much for this Atlanta defense to handle, and I like Boston’s defense to take advantage of Collins being out of the lineup. 

The Hawks can’t cover in losses, so I’ll lay the points with Boston in a game I expect the Celtics to win. 

Lean: Celtics -7 (-110)

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.