Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Nationally televised NBA action will kick off Super Bowl Sunday with a compelling Eastern Conference matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. Coverage begins from TD Garden at 2:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

SCORE PREDICTION

Celtics 114, Hawks 110

BEST BETS

Over 221.5 (-110) at BetMGM

ATLANTA HAWKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS PREDICTIONS

After finishing fifth in the East with a record of 41-31 SU last year, Atlanta stumbled out to a surprisingly poor start to this season, as the Hawks opened with a frustrating 17-25 SU and 15-27 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 25 of those matchups.

The Hawks have played excellent at both ends since the midway point of January though, considering Atlanta enters Sunday’s contest riding a sturdy 9-4 SU and ATS run – while scoring 117.1 PPG and allowing just 111.5 PPG across that span.

On the other hand, Boston posted a similarly slow start to the year, as the Celtics kicked things off with a lackluster 15-20 SU and ATS skid – with ten of those SU losses coming by double-digits.

The Celtics have played solid basketball across their latest stretch though, considering Boston enters Sunday riding a sturdy 16-6 SU run – while scoring 110 PPG and allowing just 98.5 PPG during that span.

I’ll back Boston here, as the Celtics have posted SU victories in nine of their last ten games, while averaging 113 PPG offensively and surrendering just 93.5 PPG defensively during that timeframe – likely presenting an unfavorable road matchup for a Hawks’ squad that’s allowed 116.2 PPG across their latest 2-4 SU skid.

ATLANTA HAWKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

ATLANTA HAWKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING RESOURCES

• Matchup: Southeast vs. Atlantic
• Date: Sunday, February 13, 2022
• Venue: TD Garden
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• TV-Time: ABC - 2:00 p.m. ET
• Injury Report

ATLANTA HAWKS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 26-29
• ATS: 24-30
• O/U: 30-25

The Hawks entered this season with relatively high expectations following last year’s unexpected trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, as Atlanta dominated the Knicks in a five-game first-round set, and then stunned the top-seeded Sixers in the second – before inevitably falling short against Milwaukee in the ECF.

Atlanta has been incredibly inconsistent since New Year’s Day though, considering the Hawks enter Sunday’s matchup riding a frustrating 10-10 SU and ATS skid – while averaging 114.5 PPG offensively and allowing 114.2 PPG defensively across that span.

BOSTON CELTICS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 32-25
• ATS: 28-28-1
• O/U: 23-33-1

After finishing seventh in the East with a record of 36-36 SU last year, Boston kept that same ball rolling with another mediocre start to this season, as the Celtics kicked things off with a lackluster 15-20 SU stretch – despite getting tagged as favorites in 22 of those contests.

Boston has completely flipped the script since New Year’s Eve though, considering the Celtics enter Sunday riding an impressive 16-6 SU run, while scoring 114+ PTS in nine of those contests (110 PPG) – and allowing 100 PTS or less in 12 of them (98.5 PPG).

ATLANTA HAWKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Hawks won two-of-three regular-season meetings against Boston last year, with all three matchups soaring over the total at an average of 235 PPG. The Hawks are also 2-0 SU against Boston this season, but both of those contests stayed under the total at an average of 204.5 PPG.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

• ATL: Trae Young - PG (27.6 PPG, 3.9 REB, 9.4 AST)
• ATL: Clint Capela - C (10.9 PPG, 12.1 REB, 1.3 BLK)
• BOS: Jayson Tatum - SF (25.5 PPG, 8.4 REB, 4.1 AST)
• BOS: Jaylen Brown - SG (23.6 PPG, 6.6 REB, 3.2 AST)

ATLANTA HAWKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING CONCLUSION

After extending their winning streak to seven with a victory over Denver on Friday night (W, 108-102), the Celtics enter Sunday’s contest as short home underdogs against the Hawks at TD Garden – marking just the second time Boston has been an underdog across their latest 15-game window.

I’ll back Boston here, as the Hawks are just 10-10 SU and ATS across their last 20 games, while surrendering a lofty 114.2 PPG defensively during that span – setting the stage for a tough road matchup against a Celtics squad that’s allowed just 93.5 PPG across their latest 9-1 stretch.

ATLANTA HAWKS VS. BOSTON CELTICS BETTING TRENDS

• The Hawks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in eight of the last ten Celtics' games.
• The Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six matchups against Boston.
• The Celtics are 5-1 SU in their last six home games against Atlanta.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson