NBA Basketball

Celtics Against Hawks 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round Betting Analysis

Posted by Nick Brown
April 19, 2023

At the onset of their NBA betting playoff series with Atlanta, the Boston Celtics were heavily favored. Boston is the #2-seed in the Eastern Conference. In comparison, the Hawks are a survivor of the play-in round. Whatever hope there was for Atlanta was crushed in a game one Boston win. Not that the result was a surprise. But the Celtics slapped down any thought of an upset. At least for the present, anyway. As a result, the long-shot Hawks saw an even bigger price after the game. Boston is one of the biggest first-round favorites on the board.

2023 NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference First Round

CashBet Odds: Atlanta Hawks +1100 vs. Boston Celtics -2800

Hawks vs. Celtics Series Schedule

Game 1: Celtics 112, Hawks 99
Game 2: Celtics vs. Hawks, Tuesday, April 18 (7 p.m., NBA TV)
Game 3: Hawks vs. Celtics, Friday, April 21 (7 p.m., ESPN)
Game 4: Hawks vs. Celtics, Sunday, April 23 (7 p.m. TNT)
Game 5: Celtics vs. Hawks, Tuesday, April 25 (TBD)*
Game 6: Hawks vs. Celtics, Thursday, April 27 (TBD)*
Game 7: Celtics vs. Hawks, Saturday, April 29 (TBD)*

All times listed are Eastern. (* – if necessary)

Hawks vs. Celtics CashBet Wagering Analysis

Naturally, nobody wants to step into the Celtics with an outclassed Atlanta team. There are typical sportsbook questions about price and value. But the retort is that there is no value in a loser. Hence, even bargain hunters and sharps are not enthused with Atlanta.

Hawks Get Reality Check Against Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks has covered three out of their last ten games. Additionally, the Hawks have gone over the total in three of its previous five matchups. As a result, the Hawks are 41-41 straight up, 36-46 against the spread, and 46-35-1 over/under the Betting on NBA total

Overall, Atlanta ranks 3^rd for scoring offense, 9^th for field goal percentage, 21^st for 3-point field goal percentage, 3^rd for free throw percentage, and 10^th for offensive rebounding. At the same time, the Hawks rank 26^th for scoring defense, 25^th for field goal percentage permitted, 10^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 19^th for defensive rebounding.

Trae Young leads the Hawks with 26.2 points and 10.2 assists per game. Also, Dejounte Murray adds 20.5 points and 6.1 assists per game.

Celtics Lay Down the Law

The Boston Celtics have covered nine out of their last 11 games. Additionally, the Celtics have gone under the total in three of its previous five matchups. As a result, the Celtics are 57-25 straight up, 45-36-1 against the spread, and 43-38-1 over/under the pro basketball betting total

Overall, Boston ranks 4^th for scoring offense, 14^th for field goal percentage, 6^th for 3-point field goal percentage, 4^th for free throw percentage, and 7^th for offensive rebounding. At the same time, the Celtics rank 5^th for scoring defense, 5^th for field goal percentage permitted, 4^th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 18^th for defensive rebounding.

Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics with 30.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Also, Jaylen Brown adds 26.6 points and 6.98 assists per game

Hawks Discover Discrepancy Against Celtics

Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Celtics capitalized on a woeful shooting performance by the Atlanta Hawks to hold on for a 112-99 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round matchup. Additionally, Jayson Tatum scored 25 points, 21 in the first half. And then Derrick White finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds for Boston. Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Trae Young added 16 points.

Correlate that the No. 2-seeded Celtics led by as many as 32 points. Boston jumped on an Atlanta team that missed its first ten 3-point attempts. Atlanta shot 5 of 29 from beyond the arc for the game.