The Atlanta Hawks (23-25) and Boston Celtics (29-17) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Celtics are 6.5-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Celtics -6.5), with the over/under set at 230.5 total points. Boston is a -230 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Atlanta is +190 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.
Hawks vs Celtics Prediction, Picks
- Hawks vs Celtics pick: Hawks Team Total Over 112.5 (-115)
My Hawks vs Celtics best bet is on Atlanta to go over its team total of 112.5, with the best price currently available at DraftKings, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hawks vs Celtics Odds
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -115 | 230.5 -112o / -108u | +190 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -105 | 230.5 -112o / -108u | -230 |
Hawks vs Celtics NBA Preview
This feels like a spot where the raw number is a bit misleading.
I don't want to call it a sleepy Celtics game, but it's also not a situation where I feel comfortable laying the points on the side.
When I'm in a position where the spread feels inflated, I usually pivot to the team total instead. That's the angle here with Atlanta.
The Hawks have shown they can be impactful on the glass and generate extra possessions.
If the Hawks can slow things down and get more quality offensive looks, that matters in a matchup against the Celtics.
There's also some potential frontcourt uncertainty for Boston.
If Luka Garza goes from questionable to out and Neemias Queta moves from doubtful to out, that creates a real size issue they'll have to deal with against Atlanta.
Hawks vs Celtics Predictions, Betting Analysis
My play is on the Hawks' team total over 112.5. I think this number is simply too short.
Even though Atlanta is a bad offensive team overall, the combination of extra possessions, matchup context and potential lineup issues on the other side makes the Hawks team total very playable at 112.5.
I also wouldn't be surprised if this number continues to move in Atlanta's direction, this feels like a spot the market could keep correcting.
I'll back the Hawks to get there.
Pick: Hawks Team Total Over 112.5 (-115)
