A couple of the better teams in the Eastern Conference—separated by just a couple games in the standings—face-off on Friday night as the Atlanta Hawks welcome the Boston Celtics to the south. For The Hawks, it’ll be a nice return home after a number of road games while the Celtics will be playing just their second road game in seven contests before heading back home for three more games.
At 8 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NBA basketball game on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Philips Arena.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Prior to Tuesday, the Celtics had won four straight games as the offense had stepped up, scoring at least 109-points in each of its last 10 games. Over Boston’s last 12 games prior to Tuesday, the team was 10-2. They were 8-3-1 ATS. They did, however, fail to get the win or cover the spread Tuesday at Toronto.
After a very tough stretch at the end of November into December, the Hawks have gotten themselves right and are playing very good basketball right now, too. They’ve won seven straight games, covering the spread in their last six.
Unlike Boston, however, Atlanta’s recent success has been more a results of strong fundamental play and excellent defense. Of course, putting up 114-points in an overtime win against San Antonio doesn’t hurt either.
Key Stat
The Hawks rank fifth in the NBA in defensive efficiency and first over its last three games. Boston on the other side, is ranked No. 7 in offensive efficiency, but third over its last three games. All this means is we are pinning a very good Atlanta defense that’s been playing exceptionally well of late against a red hot Celtics offense.
Toronto, however, was able to slow the Boston offense as the Celtics scored just 106-points against the Raptors on Tuesday night. Isaiah Thomas was as good as always with 27 points, but the Raptors controlled the parameter and won the battle on the outside.
Atlanta, meanwhile, was able to win its last game by 20-points over Brooklyn with a huge offense performance and solid defensive showing. The Nets shot just 40-percent from the floor and below 30-percent from three-point range.
The Hawks, on the other hand, shot 51.1-percent from the floor. Dennis Schroder had a good game, but the bulk of the success came inside the paint. Dwight Howard in particular shot 6-for-9 with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Player to Watch
Between Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley—if he’s healthy—the Celtics have the backcourt covered. In fact, even if Bradley is out Marcus Smart is a respectable option, too. It’s the game inside the paint that’ll be important to watch. As a result, keep an eye on Al Horford. The talented center is third on the team in scoring with 15.4 PPG, but it’s his defense that makes him intriguing in this game.
Horford has recorded two blocks per game and is second on the team in both rebounds and assists.
He also gives Boston a weapon against a talented front court in Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard. Between the two, Atlanta should easily win the rebounding battle, but Horford is the superior blocker and that could be key given how tight this game could end up being.
Look for Horford to have a big game, but focus more on the rebounds and the blocks than the points as the scoring should come from the outside. After all, Boston ranks better shooting beyond the arc where they’re No. 7 in shooting percentage.
Free NBA ATS Picks
Look for the Celtics to get the win in the first game of this three game season series against the Hawks.
Atlanta has the home court edge, but Boston is playing excellent basketball right now. Thomas has elevated his game to that of one of the NBA’s best players. Thomas entered Tuesday fifth in the NBA with 28 PPG while recording 6.1 APG and shooting over 90-percent from the free throw line.
Between Thomas and either Bradley or Smart, the Celtics will dominate the backcourt. While Howard and Millsap gives the Hawks the slight advantage on the inside, Al Horford and Jae Crowder are no slouches.
Look for the parameter game to win this one for the Celtics as they come in scoring fewer points than they’ve tallied the last couple weeks, but still get enough offense to come away with the win.
NBA Odds: Celtics 104, Hawks 99
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