Boston Celtics versus Atlanta Hawks basketball gambling preview
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Philips Arena
Sportsbook NBA online betting odds:
Celtics -1½ (-110) 209 (-110) -125
Hawks +1½ (-110) 209 (-110) +105
Boston
Previous game: The Celtics were zero (now one) games behind the Cavaliers entering their final matchup of the season last night, but when the smoked settled and the dust cleared, Cleveland is still light years ahead of Boston. The 94-110 final outcome was only the Celtics’ third 20-point loss this regular season. Boston trailed by as many as 29 points in the third quarter.
Key players: Isaiah Thomas once again led the Celtics in scoring and passing, with 26 points and six assists. Like Elvis Costello, Thomas was the only Boston player whose aim was true. The point guard averages 23.5 points in two games against the Hawks this season, which is well below his season average of 29.1. Center Al Horford will start against his former team. Horford is posting 14.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Recent form: The Celtics have won six of their last eight games but have lost of their last seven on the road. Boston defeated Atlanta 103-101 in February at the Phillips Arena and lost to the Hawks 98-114 in March at the Garden.
NBA online betting odds trends: Boston has not been a reliable ATS bet lately, covering the spread in only one of the last six games and two of the last seven road games. The basketball gambling total has gone under in then of Celtics’ last 12 games on the road.
Atlanta
Previous game: The Hawks missed an opportunity to pull away from the Bulls when they lost to the Nets 82-91 on Sunday. Dennis Schröder led the team with 16 points and eight assists, and Dwight Howard had 11 rebounds.
Key players: Schröder has scored 20 or more points in four of his last six games while Dwight Howard has posted double digits in rebounds in 11 straight games and is averaging 12.9 boards per game this season. Paul Millsap returned on Sunday and added 14 points off the bench, but the Hawks have placed him on the injury report for tonight as a precautionary measure.
Recent form: Atlanta has been playing like they have already clinched a playoff spot – which they have not. The Hawks have lost nine of their last 11 games and 4-6 in their last 10 home games, including the last two in a row. Atlanta is 6th in the Eastern Conference 1½ games ahead of Chicago and Miami.
NBA online betting odds trends: The Hawks have not been better ATS propositions than the Celtics generally speaking, covering in 7 of their last 22 games and only one of their last 11 home games. However, they have been more successful directly against Boston in Atlanta, going 4-2 ATS in the last six games versus the Celtics at Philips Arena. Nonetheless, the Hawks may very well suffer another setback tonight on their diffident road to the playoffs.