Celtics vs Hawks Game 2 Prediction NBA Playoffs Picks 4/18
- A Plus Picks
- Apr 17, 2023, 8:08:35 PM
© Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics – NBA Picks, Experts Predictions, and More
The Atlanta Hawks (41-41, seventh in the Eastern Conference) and the Boston Celtics (57-25, second in the Eastern Conference) are set to face off in the Eastern Conference first round, with the Celtics leading the series 1-0. In their last matchup, the Celtics defeated the Hawks 112-99, with Jaylen Brown leading the Celtics with 29 points, and Dejounte Murray leading the Hawks with 24 points. As we head into game 2 of the series, NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks em are making their predictions for the matchup. The Celtics are currently favored by 10 points, with the over/under set at 229. The Celtics have been on fire lately, going 8-2 in their last 10 games and averaging 118.1 points, 48.6 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 6.0 steals, and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.2 points per game. Meanwhile, the Hawks are 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 122.2 points, 46.9 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 8.5 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.4 points. Both teams have top performers to watch out for. Jayson Tatum is shooting 46.6% and averaging 30.1 points for the Celtics, while Trae Young is averaging 26.2 points and 10.2 assists for the Hawks. .
Hawks: Offensive Analysis
The Atlanta Hawks are facing a tough challenge in game two of the series against the Boston Celtics. Despite having a solid record, the Hawks' offense has shown some vulnerabilities. In this offensive analysis, we'll take a look at the Hawks' key statistics and players to see how they stack up against Boston. Starting with their offensive value, the Hawks are ranked third in the league for points per game with an impressive average of 118.2. However, their defense value is ranked 24th in the league for points allowed per game at 117.9. This suggests a reliance on their offense to carry the team, which could be exploited by the Celtics. When it comes to shooting, the Hawks have an effective field goal percentage of 53.9%, ranking 21st in the league. They shoot 48.2% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc, placing them 9th and 23rd in the league, respectively. Trae Young leads the team with an average of 26.2 points and 10.2 assists per game, while Dejounte Murray averages 18.7 points and 5.6 assists in the past 10 games. However, the Hawks could struggle against the Celtics' strong defense, which holds opponents to just 111.3 points per game, ranking 4th in the league. The Celtics also have a formidable offense, with a 117.9 points per game average, putting them in 4th place in the league. Overall, the Hawks will have to rely on their offense to keep up with the Celtics. If they can't keep pace and shore up their defense, they'll have a tough time winning this series. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks predictions suggest that the Celtics are favored to win this game, making it crucial for the Hawks to step up their offense if they want to stand a chance.
Hawks: Defensive Analysis
In the Eastern Conference first round, the Boston Celtics have taken a 1-0 lead into game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks will need to tighten up their defense if they want to stay competitive in this series. Currently, Atlanta ranks 24th in the league in opponent points per game with an average of 117.9. They will need to improve their defense to challenge a strong Boston offense that averages 118.1 points per game. The Hawks' defense also ranks 29th in opponent points in the paint per game, allowing an average of 54.5. This could be a problem as the Celtics average 48.8 points in the paint per game. However, the Hawks have some strengths on defense that they can rely on. They rank seventh in the league in opponent points off fast breaks, allowing an average of just 15.2 per game. This could help them limit the Celtics' fast break opportunities. Additionally, Atlanta ranks ninth in opponent offensive rebounds per game, allowing an average of 10.5. Clint Capela leads the team in defensive rebounds per game and ranks eighth in the league with an average of 8.0. The Hawks will also need some key players to step up on defense. Trae Young, who averages 1.2 steals per game, will need to create turnovers and disrupt the Celtics' ball movement. John Collins, who averages 0.9 blocks per game, may need to step up his protection at the rim to limit Boston's opportunities at the rim. Overall, the Hawks have some weaknesses on defense that they will need to address to compete with the Celtics. However, they also have strengths that they can utilize to limit Boston's opportunities. If they can tighten up their defense and capitalize on their strengths, they may have a chance to even up the series.
Celtics: Offense Analysis
The Boston Celtics come into the game against the Atlanta Hawks with a potent offense that ranks fourth in the league in points per game at 117.9. Jayson Tatum has been leading the charge for Boston, averaging 30.1 points per game while shooting at an impressive 46.6% rate from the field. The Celtics have also been effective from beyond the arc, ranking sixth in three-point percentage at 37.7%. Boston's offense has also been effective in getting assists, averaging 26.6 per game, which is seventh-best in the league. Marcus Smart has been the catalyst of the Celtics' passing game, averaging 6.3 assists per game. The team's assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.988 is also among the best in the league. The Celtics have been dominant in their last 10 games, averaging 118.1 points per game while shooting at a 48.7% rate. Their opponents, on the other hand, have only managed to average 104.2 points per game. Boston's efficiency on the offensive end has been remarkable, reflected in their high shooting efficiency value of 1.145 which ranks 19th in the league. In terms of rebounding, the Celtics have been averaging 52.5 total rebounds per game, which is ninth in the league. They have not been as effective in getting offensive rebounds, ranking 20th in the league with only 9.7 per game. However, their defensive rebounding game has been strong, ranking second in the league with 35.7 per game. Overall, the Celtics are a balanced team on the offensive end, and they will look to continue their scoring ways against the Hawks in game two of their Eastern Conference playoff series. The Celtics will look to capitalize on their strengths and take advantage of their offensive efficiency to dominate their opponents. NBA picks experts and computers alike are favoring Boston to take the win with a -10 point spread.
Celtics: Defensive Analysis
As the Celtics head into their second game of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks, defense will be a key factor in their performance. In their last matchup, the Celtics held the Hawks to just 99 points and limited their opponents to under 50% shooting from the field. The defensive prowess of Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart will be crucial in shutting down Atlanta's offensive threats, especially Trae Young, who is averaging over 26 points per game in the playoffs so far. The Celtics have a solid defensive record this season, ranking fourth in the league in opponent points per game with 111.3. They have also been effective in limiting their opponents' shooting percentage, ranking second in the league in opponent effective field goal percentage with 52.6%. This can be credited to the defensive efforts of players like Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams III, who have been holding opponents to low shooting percentages. In terms of defensive rebounds, the Celtics have a slight advantage over the Hawks, averaging 51.5 rebounds per game compared to Atlanta's 51.4. However, the Hawks have been strong on the offensive glass, averaging 11.4 offensive rebounds per game, which could be a key factor in their ability to score second-chance points. The Celtics have also been effective in forcing turnovers, ranking eighth in the league in opponent turnovers per game with 12.7. This can be attributed to their aggressive style of play on defense, with players like Smart and Brown constantly putting pressure on their opponents. Overall, the Celtics have a strong defensive game plan heading into their matchup against the Hawks. If they can continue to limit their opponents' shooting percentage, force turnovers, and dominate the boards, they should have a good chance at taking a 2-0 series lead.
Injury Report
The Boston Celtics have listed Danilo Gallinari as out for the game due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks have no players listed on their injury report. This could give Boston a slight advantage, as Gallinari is a key player for the Hawks and his absence could affect their performance. However, the Celtics have a deep roster and should be able to compensate for their injured player. Overall, this injury report should not have a major impact on the outcome of the game. Both teams are relatively healthy and have talented players who can step up when needed. It will ultimately come down to which team executes their game plan better on the court.
| Player | Team | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danilo Gallinari | Atlanta Hawks | PF | Out (knee) |
| None listed | Atlanta Hawks | N/A | N/A |
Betting Trends
When it comes to betting trends, the Celtics have been a strong team to bet on throughout the season. They have an impressive record of 57-25, and a favorable -10 spread for this game. However, it should be noted that they have gone 34-18 against Eastern Conference opponents, which is the same conference as the Hawks. The Hawks, on the other hand, have been mediocre when it comes to betting trends this season. They have a 41-41 record and are the underdogs with a +10 spread. However, they do have some strengths that could make them a worthwhile pick. They have been averaging 122.2 points per game over their last 10 games, and shooting 48.2% from the field. Expert predictions and NBA picks from computer programs may favor the Celtics to win and cover the spread, due to their impressive overall record and home-court advantage. However, NBA picks and parlays may look at the recent performances of the Hawks and consider them as an upset pick, especially if they can continue their high-scoring ways. Ultimately, the best NBA bets today for this game will depend on individual analysis and risk preferences. Those looking to play it safe may lean towards the Celtics, while those looking for a riskier bet may consider the Hawks with the odds against them. Overall, bettors should keep an eye on the injury reports for both teams leading up to the game and consider everything from past trends to current performances when making their picks.
Prediction
After a dominant victory in the first game, the Celtics look poised to take full control of this Eastern Conference first-round series against the Hawks. Led by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston's offense is firing on all cylinders, averaging 118.1 points per game over their last 10 games. The Hawks will struggle to keep pace with Trae Young and Clint Capela being their only consistent scoring options. Meanwhile, the Celtics are deep and balanced, with key contributions from players like Marcus Smart and Derrick White. Expect Boston to continue their hot streak and take this series in a sweep, covering the -10 point spread in Game 2.
