7:35 pm
February 19

Hawks @ Celtics

Who will WIN this matchup?

Atlanta Hawks (12-16)

@ Boston Celtics (14-14)

 

Current odds:

Atlanta Hawks: (+175)

Boston Celtics: (-200)

 

• The line for this game is Celtics by 5 points.

• Jaylen Brown (knee) available to play Friday.

• The visiting Atlanta Hawks will get a chance to test their newfound fourth-quarter resolve on Friday when they play their second straight game against the Boston Celtics. The Hawks ended their four-game losing streak by beating the Celtics 122-114 on Wednesday night. The victory also snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Celtics and was the first Atlanta win in Boston since April 8, 2018.

• The Hawks again will have assistant coach Nate McMillan running the team on Friday. He is filling in for head coach Lloyd Pierce, who returned to Atlanta for the birth of his second child. The victory reversed a trend of fourth-quarter struggles for the Hawks. It was the 17th time they had taken a lead into the fourth quarter, but only the 10th time they’ve managed to close it for a victory.

• Much of Atlanta’s fourth-quarter success on Wednesday can be attributed to Young. He scored 16 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter and helped rebuff Boston’s comeback hopes with a key basket or assist. He scored eight points after the Celtics cut the lead to six with 2:38 remaining.

• It was the third time in his career that Young has scored 40-plus points with 20 or fewer field-goal attempts; he was 14 of 20 shooting. The only other players in franchise history to accomplish the feat were John Drew, Zelmo Beaty, Richie Guerin and Bob Pettit, all before the 3-point shot became part of the game.

• The past few weeks have not been easy for the Celtics, either. Boston has lost five of its last seven games and seen its record slip to .500. Jayson Tatum, who scored 35 points against the Hawks, acknowledged the struggles but isn’t ready to quit. Boston has been particularly vulnerable in transition defense, although the Celtics allowed only 10 fast-break points against the Hawks.

• The Celtics should get Kemba Walker back for the rematch. The veteran was withheld for load management on Wednesday. He has averaged 17.8 points and six assists in 32 career games against Atlanta. Walker missed two games against Atlanta last season. Daniel Theis missed his second game with a sprained right index finger, suffered Sunday against Washington, and remains uncertain.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Boston Celtics
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