2023 NBA East Playoffs Boston at Atlanta Betting Preview

The Atlanta Hawks have a chance to even what has turned out to be an incredibly competitive series on Thursday night when the ATL hosts the 2-seed Boston Celtics. The C’s will enter the matchup a -7.5 favorite.

Will Boston close the door on Atlanta’s rally? Will the Hawks pull off another shocker? Which team covers the spread?

Keep reading for NBA Playoff betting odds, analysis, and free picks for Atlanta Hawks hosting the Boston Celtics.

2023 NBA Playoffs East First Round Game 6 Betting Preview: Boston at Atlanta | MyBookie NBA Preview

East 1st Round – Game 6, BOS leads series 3-2
NBA Odds: Boston -7.5 / Atlanta +230, Boston -280 / O/U 232
When: April 27 at 8:30 pm ET
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
TV / Streaming: TNT

Why Bet on Boston versus Atlanta?

The 119-117 loss to Atlanta disappointed Boston and their fans, but the game was an anomaly compared to the way the Celtics usually play. Boston’s defense played much worse than it often does.

Not only that, but the C’s shot a terrible 32% from behind the arc. So although Boston was excellent in the paint, they weren’t very good shooting threes. The Celtics should play better even if Game 6 happens in Atlanta.

Boston Celtics Offensive Averages

Points/G: 117.9
FG %: 47.5
3PT %: 37.7
FT %: 81.2
Rebounds/G: 45.3

Boston Celtics Defensive Averages

Points/G: 11.4
FG %: 46.3
3PT %: 34.5
FT %: 76.9
Rebounds/G: 44.0

Why Bet on Atlanta versus Boston?

Trae Young scored 38 points to lead the upset. Although the Celtics know they must stop Young if they hope to close out the Hawks, doing so is easier said than done.

The Celtics may not have a player that can stop Young. The Milwaukee Bucks knew they had to stop Jimmy Butler on Wednesday night and Jimmy Buckets managed 42 points a game after dropping 56. There’s a chance Young pulls a Jimmy B.

Atlanta Hawks Offensive Averages

Points/G: 118.4
FG %: 48.3
3PT %: 35.2
FT %: 81.8
Rebounds/G: 44.4

Atlanta Hawks Defensive Averages

Points/G: 118.1
FG %: 48.6
3PT %: 35.6
FT %: 80.3
Rebounds/G: 44.1

Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

Celtics are 5-0 ATS n their last 5 games following an ATS loss
Boston is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games
Over is 7-1 in the Celtics last 8 games on the road
Hawks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 day rest
Atlanta is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 versus a team with a winning percentage above .600
Over is 5-0 in the Hawks’ last 5 games at home

Starting Lineups

Boston Celtics
Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum Al Horford

Atlanta Hawks
Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Trae Young John Collins, Clint Capela

Injuries

Boston Celtics
Danilo Gallinari (Knee – out)

Atlanta Hawks
None

Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks Betting Analysis

The Celtics allowed the ATL to shoot 47% from the field. That wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was how Boston allowed the Hawks to shoot 46% from behind the arc.

There’s no way Boston allows that type of shooting percentage on Thursday night. The C’s D will be much tighter.

The key is containing Young, which Boston has had some success doing during the series. But another key is to ratchet up the defense both beyond the arc and in the paint. Boston is the better team and even though they didn’t play great, they could have beaten the Hawks on Tuesday night.

Also, the trends favor the Celtics to cover. Boston wins via an 8 to 10 points victory.

NBA Odds: Milwaukee -12 | Miami +450 / Milwaukee -630 | O/U 220
NBA Playoffs Round 1 Prediction: Boston Celtics -7.5 | Bet Celtics at Hawks Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics Full Game 5 Highlights | Apr 25 | 2022-2023 NBA Playoffs

Celtics at Hawks First Round Schedule

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Atlanta Hawks (7)

Game 1: Celtics 112, Hawks 99
Game 2: Celtics 119, Hawks 106
Game 3: Hawks 130, Celtics 122
Game 4: Celtics 129, Hawks 121
Game 5: Hawks 119, Celtics 117
*Game 6: Celtics vs. Hawks | Thurs., April 27 | 8:30 ET (TNT)
*Game 7: Hawks vs. Celtics | Sat., April 29 | 7:30 ET (TNT)
Celtics lead series 3-2 | Bet Celtics at Hawks Online