The Boston Celtics hope to remove any doubt about their opening-round series by winning Friday's Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks. Read on for our Celtics vs. Hawks prediction based on the best NBA odds.
Though this opening-round series has been one-sided, the Celtics can't afford to get complacent ahead of Friday's Game 3 against the Hawks. This is not about winning this series; Boston needs to keep pace with the Philadelphia 76ers, who are currently up 3-0 in their respective first-round matchup.
Now that the series has moved to Atlanta, the Celtics are considered 5-point road favorites. We prefer attacking the player prop market for the best value on this game, however.
Here is our best Celtics vs. Hawks prediction (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Cel tics vs. Hawks prediction
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I'd be lying to you if I said I'm super confident in this play. But this pick did get three stars because the pricing is too tantalizing. At +185, I'm willing to take the chance on Al Horford to record multiple blocks in a crucial Game 3.
First off, Horford has done exactly that in both games to start this series. He swatted two shots in 38 minutes in Game 1 before denying three shots in 32 minutes during Tuesday's Game 2. And the minutes played are key here.
Even at 36 years old, Horford is hard to take off the floor right now. According to NBA Stats, Horford leads the Celtics in plus-minus with a plus-36 so far this series. He is tied with Derrick Wh ite with five blocks, ranks third in rebounds with 13, and has played the fourth-most minutes on the team.
Horford has been a huge part of why Boston is up 2-0 against the team he started his NBA career with back in 2007. His ability to stretch the floor has kept Clint Capela away from the rim, which should continue after his 4-for-8 start from long range this postseason.
Horford has recorded multiple blocks in three consecutive games and five of his last seven. The two games he didn't clear this Over came against the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Unless Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid plans to suit up for the Hawks in Game 3, this Over has some life.
This might seem like a bold play, but Horford has been delivering on the defensive end of late. Given his recent form and this juicy price, I'm willing to bet on this run continuing at anything +165 or better.
Celtics vs. Hawks best odds
| DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | PointsBet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 1.5 | Over 1.5 | Over 1.5 | Over 1.5 | Over 1.5 |
| +165 | +185 | +155 | +152 | N/A |
Four of our best sportsbooks have a line for total blocks by Horford. The Under is juiced pretty heavily at around -210, while the Over is being offered at +150 or better at most shops.
FanDuel actually has this line set at 0.5, with the Over priced at -240 and the Under sitting at +182. We are placing this in the alternate prop market, in which he is +185 to record two or more blocks in Game 3.
For those reluctant to tail a bet expected to lose more often than not, BetMGM is offering the Over on 1.5 blocks and steals for Horford at -150. Horford has at least one steal in both games so far this series.
We are taking the shot at +185, however. Let's go for glory in Game 3.
Celtics vs. Hawks odds
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Celtics vs. Hawks odds analysis
Boston opened as a 4-point favorite, but the market has moved this line to 5 and 5.5 at our best NBA betting sites. The total is sitting at 228.5 or 228 across the board, which is right in line with where it opened earlier in the week.
For context, the Celtics were double-digit favorites in each of the two games to start the series. The total has finished Under in both games, as well, though it was 230 or above.
Celtics vs. Hawks game info
- Date: Friday, April 21, 7 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Celtics-Hawks pick made 04/21/2023 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
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