NBA Expert Picks – Celtics Looking for Revenge over Hawks

Hawks vs. Celtics (-4.5)
(O/U) 192
Monday, January 11 7:35 PM ET

The Boston Celtics (26-9 SU, 16-19 ATS, 17-17-1 O/U) will host the Atlanta Hawks (23-13 SU, 24-12 ATS, 21-15 O/U) with one thing on their collective minds tonight – revenge.

Three nights after losing to the Hawks for the second time this season, Boston will look to record its first win over the athletic Hawks.

Following the Orlando Magic’s blueprint for success against the Hawks would almost certainly aid the Celtics in their quest.

The Magic had no trouble with the Hawks on Saturday night, cruising to a 113-81 win at home. Atlanta failed miserably in their quest to cover the NBA moneyline as 3.5-point road underdogs, allowing seven Orlando players to reach double figures in scoring.

The Celtics bounced back from their loss to Atlanta to beat the Toronto Raptors 114-107 on Sunday. Boston cashed in for pro hoops gamblers as a 1.5-point road favorite as blossoming point guard Rajon Rondo recorded his first triple-double of the season with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists and veteran forward Rasheed Wallace scored a team-high 29 points in the win.

Here is a look at some key trends for tonight’s matchup.

• Hawks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
• Home team is 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
• Under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in Boston.
• Hawks are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Boston.

Analysis: The Hawks have won two straight over Boston while holding the Celtics to just 85.5 points per game, but I’m going to back the Celtics tonight as I fully expect them to take this game very seriously and send a message to the Hawks that, should they meet in the playoffs again this season, they will definitely not be welcome in Boston’s TD Garden.

The Celtics have held their opponents to just 93.5 points per game this season on 44.4 percent shooting and have won three of four coming in.

Atlanta has won just two times in its last seven games and really isn’t playing very well coming into tonight’s game despite their dominance over the Celtics this season.

I expect the C’s to come out tonight and play some lockdown defense on the Hawks and I also like the fact that Rasheed Wallace scored a season-high 29 points against the Raptors on Sunday.

Atlanta has allowed at least 112 points in three of its last six losses and undoubtedly has a tendency to lose focus despite their jaw-dropping athleticism, which is why I don’t believe they’re in the same elite class as Celtics, Magic or Cleveland Cavaliers just yet.

Boston may be playing without Kevin Garnett, but I expect the Celtics to win and narrowly cover the NBA moneyline against arguably their biggest rivals in the Eastern Conference.

NBA Expert Picks: Celtics -4.5 Points