Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview

Date & Time: Thursday, April 28, 8:00 PM

Venue: TD Garden (Boston)

Head to head record

Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 110-83 (2015/2016 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 104-95 (2015/2016 NBA)
Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks 111-103 (2015/2016 NBA)
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 89-72 (2015/2016 NBA)
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics 102-101 (2015/2016 NBA)

Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks prediction

Boston Celtics will be looking to tie the series at three games each with a win over Atlanta Hawks at their TD Garden. Danny Ainge’s team are eyeing their third consecutive win over Hawks at home, but Atlanta are eager to get their job done in the tie against Celtics on Thursday evening.

Home-court advantage

After suffering a heavy 110-83 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday evening, Boston Celtics face a do-or-die situation in game 6 at their TD Garden. Celtics defeated Hawks in previous two games at home and they need to beat Mike Budenholzer’s troops on Thursday evening if they are to stay in the race for a place in the Eastern Conference semis. Brad Stevens’ men failed to impress in game five, scoring no more than 83 points in the Philips Arena clash, but they will have a home-court advantage this time out. Isaiah Thomas scored just seven points in the 110-83 loss to Atlanta, shooting 3 of 12, and, no doubt, he will have to be at his sharpest if Boston are to tie the series. You should have in mind that Celtics are eyeing their 31th home win of the season.

Avery Bradley missed the game 5 with a hamstring problem and he is unlikely to recover in time to face Atlanta Hawks on Thursday evening. Coach Brad Stevens has no fresh injury worries ahead of the match. Isaiah Thomas avoided suspension despite being involved in an incident during the game 5.

Match ball

As expected, Atlanta Hawks did well to recover from the extra-time loss in game 4, with the team beating Boston Celtics 110-83 in front of home fans. Hawks couldn’t miss a shoot on Tuesday evening and they will be looking to build on the performance they showed in game 5 when they square off against Boston at TD Garden. Jeff Teague scored 16 points in the last play-off match and is likely to pose a big threat for Celtics in game 6. Atlanta have yet to defeat Boston on the road in the 2016 NBA play-offs, but it is well known that they were beaten by Brad Stevens’ men in game 4 in overtime. Important player Paul Millsap scored no more than 10 points in game 5, but Celtics will definitely find it hard to contain the power forward, who is averaging 17.1 points this season.

Coach Brad Stevens has no fresh selection worries ahead of the visit of Atlanta and he is unlikely to make changes to the starting line-up.

Interesting Facts

• Boston Celtics recorded seven wins in last eight matches at home
• Celtics scored 104+ points in previous two home games in the play-offs
• Atlanta are on a five-game losing run on the road
• Hawks are averaging 99.8 points this season
• Home team emerged triumphant in each of last six meetings

Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks betting pick

Both Boston and Atlanta produce much better performances in front of home fans and considering that Hawks suffered a loss in each of their last five away games in NBA, I am tempted to put my money on Celtics, who recorded seven victories in last eight matches at their TD Garden. Taking everything into account, Brad Stevens’ men are likely to register their third consecutive win at home in the 2016 NBA play-offs.

Pick: Boston to win

Odds: +115