The Boston Celtics have traded wins and losses over their last six games but will look to pull themselves out of their funk when they welcome the Atlanta Hawks to TD Garden tonight.
Kristaps Porzingis has been one of the few consistent scorers for the C’s this month and I’ll look for the center to put up another productive performance against a lackluster Atlanta defense in my Hawks vs. Celtics predictions.
I’ll discuss my best bet and more in my NBA picks for Saturday, January 18.
Hawks vs Celtics prediction
My best bet
Kristaps Porzingis Over 18.5 points (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
After falling to the Raptors on Wednesday in one of their worst games of the season, the Boston Celtics bounced back with a commanding 121-94 victory over the Magic on Friday.
Kristaps Porzingis (23 points) was one of three Boston players to hit the 20-point mark and I’ll be looking for the Celtics center to hit the Over on 18.5 again tonight.
Porzingis has put up 19+ points in five of his last six games while scoring in a variety of ways. The 7-foot-2 center is shooting over 47% from three-point range while averaging 2.6 threes per game in January, while also converting on 48% of his shots from the field.
Atlanta is 3-4 over its last seven games and team defense has been a major problem in its recent losses. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing 120.6 points against per game over their last seven contests – just slightly worse than their season average of 119.1, which ranks 28th in the NBA.
The Hawks have been the league’s worst team at defending the three, giving up 15.2 treys per game, and that’s an area that Porzingis in particular can exploit.
Coupled with Atlanta’s lackluster defense in the paint (23rd; 49.3 points allowed per game), I think we’ll see Porzingis put up points all over the court.
Hawks vs Celtics same-game parlay
Kristaps Porzingis Over 18.5 points
Trae Young 20+ points
Celtics -9.5
Despite the Celtics’ recent run of form, they’re still getting the nod as the huge home favorite tonight and I expect them to win this one comfortably by virtue of their superior defense. Boston’s offense has been MIA in some recent games but Atlanta has been giving out points like candy.
Trae Young has been on fire for the Hawks, coming off a 43-point performance against the Suns on Tuesday. The point guard is averaging 28.5 points per game in January and has scored 20+ in seven straight contests.
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Hawks vs Celtics odds
Hawks vs Celtics live odds
Hawks vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: Atlanta +10 (-110) | Boston -10 (-110)
- Moneyline: Atlanta +375 | Boston -500
- Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-110) | Under 235.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Hawks vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Celtics opened as a huge 11-point favorite, though 62% of bettors were picking the Hawks to cover the spread at the time of writing. Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games while Boston is 2-4 ATS over its last six outings.
- The C’s have dominated this matchup with 12 wins in their last 17 meetings against the Hawks.
- Tonight’s total opened at 235 points with the Under cashing in five of Boston’s last seven games and the Over going 6-2-2 in Atlanta’s last 10.
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Hawks vs Celtics trend
The Boston Celtics have hit the 1H Moneyline in 67 of their last 90 games (+19.37 Units / 6% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs Celtics. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Celtics.
How to watch Hawks vs Celtics
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Saturday, 1-18-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSNSE, NBCSB |
Hawks vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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