Boston vs Atlanta NBA Playoffs Series Betting Analysis

Posted by Eric Williams on Thursday,April 14, 2016 4:34, EDT in

The fourth-seeded Atlanta Hawks and fifth-seeded Boston Celtics will square off in one of the most evenly matched postseason series when they take to the hardwood at Philips Arena for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first round playoff series on Saturday, April 16. You see, the Hawks and Celtics both finished the regular season with identical 48-34 records to give this match up the look of a seven-game series just waiting to happen. Now, thanks to this expert pro basketball betting lines analysis on this intriguing series, you’re going to be able to make the most out of each and every wager you make on this match up. With all of that said, let’s rock and roll people!

Celtics vs Hawks NBA Playoffs Series Betting Analysis

Why Bet On The No. 5 Boston Celtics

The Celtics (48-34 SU, 42-3-1 ATS) ranked an eye-opening fifth in scoring (105.7 ppg) but just 24th in field goal shooting percentage (43.9 %) while also ranking a dismal 28th in three-point shooting percentage (33.5 %), sixth in free throw shooting percentage (78.8 %) and sixth in rebounding (44.9 rpg).

Defensively, Boston ranked a solid 13th in points allowed (102.5 ppg) while also finishing seventh in defensive field goal percentage (44.1 %), fourth in three-point defense (33.6 %), and 26th in rebounds allowed (46.0 rpg).

The Celtics went 28-13 SU and 23-17-1 ATS at home in the regular season and 19-21 SU and 19-22 ATS on the road

Why Bet On The No. 4 Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks (48-34 SU, 42-39-1 ATS ranked 13th in scoring (102.7 ppg) and 15th in field goal shooting percentage (45.1 %) while also ranking a stellar fourth in three-point shooting percentage (37.0 %), 12th in free throw shooting percentage (77.9 %) and 18th in rebounding (43.2 rpg).

Defensively, Toronto ranked a stupendous fourth in points allowed (98.2 ppg) while also finishing 12th in defensive field goal percentage (44.4 %), 29th in three-point defense (37.3 %), and fourth in rebounds allowed (40.8 rpg).

The Hawks were 27-14 SU and 22-19 ATS at home during the regular season and 21-20 SU and 20-20-1 ATS on the road.

My Series Analysis and Expert Pick

Atlanta won the regular season series 3-1, by beating Boston in three straight after the C’s won the first meeting between the title hopefuls in November. Not only that, but the Hawks covered the spread in each SU victory while winning each of the last tri of meetings by at least eight points. For me, I love the young Celtics and their hustling ways under the game’s best young head coach in Brad Stevens and I believe the C’s are going to give the Hawks a tough way to go as they have a whopping six double-digit scorers on their roster. However, I also love Atlanta’s ability to spread the ball around. The Hawks have five players that all average double figures in scoring while Kyle Korver averages just short of that figure (9.2 ppg).

More importantly, the Hawks have the big edge in experience and have a great head coach of their own in Mike Budenholzer. Power forward Paul Millsap and center Al Horford will be the best two big men in this series while the point guard combination of Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder will likely outplay Boston all-star Isaiah Thomas (22.2 ppg) with their combined 26.7 points and 10.3 assists per game.

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The Celtics are jus 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games while Atlanta has gone 11-5 ATS in their last 16 home games against a team with a losing road record. It’s going to be a Bean town heart breaker, but Boston loses in seven!