Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics - 1/3/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics

Date: Friday, January 3, 2020

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

De'Andre Hunter and the Atlanta Hawks (7-27, 5th in the Southeast Division) travel to TD Garden on Friday where they'll take on the Boston Celtics (23-8, 1st in the Atlantic Division). Boston opens this game as 6.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 222.

The Hawks are covering the spread 41.2% of the time, having gone 14-20-0 ATS. Boston is covering 65.5% of the time, going 19-10-2 against the spread.

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

12/31/19 PG Trae Young Ankle is upgraded to probable
12/30/19 PF Jabari Parker Shoulder is questionable

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/31/19 SG Jaylen Brown Illness is questionable

Player Spotlight

De'Andre Hunter comes into this contest averaging 12.6 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 77%. Alex Len averages 8.7 points per game in 18.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 56% for the year while his free throw percentage is 63%.

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 21.3 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%. Marcus Smart averages 11.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.4 rebounds per contest and 4.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Atlanta averages 107.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -10.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 42.3 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 17.2 per game. The Hawks allow 117.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.9 rebounds a game which ranks 25th and they give up 24.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 16.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston is 14th in the league with 111.5 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 7.9. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 45.8 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 23.3. The Celtics are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Celtics surrender 103.6 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 44.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Hawks are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 113.1, and their offensive rating of 103.1 is ranked 28th. They are 4th in the NBA in pace with 103 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 25th. As a unit they are 26th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA. Atlanta is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 24th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Celtics are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 104.3, and their offensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 2nd. They are 23rd in the NBA in pace with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 12th. As a unit they are 12th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Hawks/Celtics NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Atlanta +6.5

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