Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics Free Prediction 03/16/19

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The Atlanta Hawks (24-45) will travel to TD Garden to square off with the Boston Celtics (42-27). The game starts at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 16, 2019, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Betting Odds

In the Hawks’ last outing, they blew out the Memphis Grizzlies, 132-111, as 1-point underdogs. The Celtics, on the other hand, beat the Sacramento Kings,126-120, but were unable to cover as 8-point favorites. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Atlanta game finished 19.5 points over the projected point total of 223.5, while the Boston game went 18 points over the projected point total of 228.

Atlanta dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 36.6 (above their season average of 24.9) and a turnover percentage of 9.2 (better than their season average of 14.6). For those same stats, Memphis had marks of 20.0 and 12.2, respectively. The Celtics, on the other hand, made 19 of their 26 free throws (73.1 percent) and held the Kings to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.0 (below their season average of 22.5). Kyrie Irving had a big game for Boston, collecting 31 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds on his way to his zeroth triple-double of the year. Meanwhile, John Collins was a key piece for Atlanta with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

The Celtics have won all three contests against the Hawks this year. The two teams combined for 218 points in their most recent game, which was under the projected point total of 226. Boston won 113-105, covering as a 6.5-point favorite. Boston was successful at getting and making free throws. The Celtics made 23 of their 25 free throws (92.0 percent), while the Hawks were 13-14 (92.9 percent). Irving was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points.

Boston could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their sweet-shooting offense squares off against one of the worst defenses in the NBA. The Celtics currently rank fourth in effective field goal percentage (0.536), while Atlanta ranks 28th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.542).

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics Betting Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Hawks, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Celtics rank fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (45.8) while the Hawks rank 16th (49.0).
  • Boston ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Atlanta ranks last (10.0).
  • The Hawks average 36.0 three pointers per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Celtics rank 26th in three pointers allowed per game (33.5).
  • Boston averages 16.1 fast-break points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Atlanta ranks last in fast-break points allowed per game (16.7).
  • Boston ranks 13th in second chance points allowed per game (13.1) while Atlanta ranks 26th (14.4).
  • The Celtics rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while the Hawks rank last in points off turnovers allowed per game (21.8).
  • The Celtics average 26.4 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. The Hawks rank 29th in assists allowed per game (27.2).
  • Atlanta ranks 12th in rebounds per game (45.9) while Boston ranks 20th in rebounds allowed per game (45.6).
  • Boston ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while Atlanta ranks 25th (5.6).
  • Atlanta is 3-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Boston is 15-4.
  • The Hawks are 23-37 when they score above 100 points, while the Celtics are 42-20.
  • Boston is 20-15 ATS at home, while Atlanta is 20-15 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone over in 21 of the Celtics’ 35 home games, while 20 of the Hawks’ 35 road games have gone over.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Atlanta and Boston have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
  • The Hawks are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Celtics are 2-2-1.
  • During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 117.8 points per game (5.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.2 points per game (5.4 below their season average).
  • The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 5.2 for the season.