Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 4/21/2023 Previews, Predictions and Picks
East 1st Round – Game 3, BOS leads series 2-0
In the opening game of a thrilling Friday night NBA playoff doubleheader broadcasted on ESPN, the Boston Celtics hit the road to clash with the Atlanta Hawks at the esteemed State Farm Arena. The second-seeded Celtics, who finished with an impressive nine games above .500 record on the road during the regular season, are determined to make a triumphant return to the coveted NBA Finals.
In Game Two, the Celtics showcased their mettle by building a commanding 12-point halftime lead and ultimately securing a resounding 119-106 victory on their home court against the Atlanta Hawks. The talented All-Star forward, Jayson Tatum, led the charge for the Celtics, posting an outstanding performance with 29 points on an efficient 12-for-22 shooting from the field, accompanied by ten rebounds and six assists. Derrick White made a significant contribution as well, tallying 26 points on an impressive 11-for-16 shooting from the field, along with seven rebounds. Jaylen Brown also made his presence felt with 18 points, as the Celtics displayed their prowess from beyond the arc, connecting on 15-of-33 three-point attempts.
- The Boston Celtics are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings with the Hawks.
- The Celtics are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games against Atlanta.
- The total went OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 matches on the road.
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 4/21/2023 Previews, Predictions and Picks
On the other hand, the Atlanta Hawks, who had an impressive record of 24 wins out of 41 home games during the regular season and ranked seventh in the league in offensive efficiency, faced a tough challenge in Game Two. They struggled with their shooting, missing 32 out of 48 three-point attempts and shooting just 43 percent overall from the field. The seventh-seeded Hawks also had difficulty defending the paint, being outscored 64-40 by the Celtics and allowing them to shoot an impressive 56 percent from the field.
Despite the loss, Atlanta’s guard Dejounte Murray put up a valiant effort, matching the game-high with 29 points on 11-for-24 shooting from the field, accompanied by six rebounds and six assists. Trae Young, a key player for the Hawks, contributed 24 points on 9-for-22 shooting from the field, along with six assists. Additionally, DeAndre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic both scored 18 points each, but unfortunately, their efforts fell short in the face of Boston’s formidable performance.
- The total stayed UNDER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 9 clashes with the Celtics.
- The Atlanta Hawks are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games at home.
- The Hawks are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Boston.
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks. The NBA pick for this game is the Boston Celtics. Both squads come into game three of this best-of-seven series with no significant injuries to report. PG Trae Young has struggled to find his rhythm in his last ten postseason games; The Atlanta Hawks will shoot the ball better at home. Take Boston to dominate that will be a 3-0 series lead in a game that goes over the total. Final Score Prediction, Boston Celtics win 118-114.
NBA Starting Time: 7:00 PM (EDT)
Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA
Date: Friday, April 21, 2023
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: Boston Celtics -5
NBA Totals: 228.5
