Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions November 12th 2024

Celtics vs Hawks November 12th 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (4-7, 11th in the East) head to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics (9-2, 2nd in the East) in a game that will be nationally televised on NBCS. The Celtics are currently favored by 15.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 226.

This Eastern Conference matchup will tip-off at 7:00 ET. The Hawks (+715) have lost two straight, while the Celtics (-1167) have won two in a row.

Hawks vs. Celtics Key Information

Atlanta dropped to 4-7 on the season after a 125-113 home loss to the Bulls on Saturday. The Hawks, who were favored by 3 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 238, just under the 240.5-point line.

After leading 98-90 going into the 4th quarter, the Hawks were outscored 35-15 in the final period. A key moment was a 12-0 run by the Bulls, which stretched the score from 101-95 to 113-95.

Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela each scored 20 points for the Hawks in their 125-113 loss to the Bulls, with Johnson adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Johnson hit 3 threes at a 50% rate, while the Hawks as a team struggled from deep, making just 9 threes at 31%.

Capela scored 10 of his 20 points in the 1st quarter and added 9 rebounds. Zaccharie Risacher contributed 17 points, and Dyson Daniels added 16. Trae Young finished with 14 points, 8 of which came in the 2nd quarter.

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The Hawks had a strong defensive showing in the 1st quarter, holding the Bulls to 24 points, but they struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 36 and 35 points, respectively, in a 125-113 loss. Overall, Atlanta allowed Chicago to shoot 50% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Hawks limited the Bulls to 13 made threes on 33% shooting. Chicago also went 20/23 from the free-throw line. Defensively, Atlanta recorded 8 steals and 5 blocks.

Boston improved to 9-2 on the season with a 113-107 win over the Bucks on Sunday. The Celtics, who were -5 point favorites, covered the spread with the win. The total points for the game were 220, falling short of the 229-point line.

The Bucks jumped out to a 19-2 lead after an 11-0 run, but Boston chipped away, cutting the deficit to 69-58 by halftime. The Celtics took control in the 3rd quarter, holding Milwaukee to 15 points, and entered the 4th quarter leading 87-84 before closing out the game by outscoring the Bucks 26-23 in the final period.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points and 12 rebounds in their win over the Bucks, despite shooting just 33.3% from the field. He scored 11 points in the 3rd quarter and added 12 more in the 4th. Boston shot 40.7% overall, but hit 19 threes at a 38% clip.

Payton Pritchard connected on 5 threes, shooting 62.5% from deep and finishing with 18 points, including 12 in the 2nd quarter. Derrick White and Jrue Holiday each added 15 points, with White hitting 3 threes at 50% shooting.

Despite a rough 1st quarter where the Celtics gave up 40 points, they tightened up their defense in the 2nd, allowing 29 points. Their best defensive effort came in the 3rd quarter, where they held the Bucks to just 15 points. In the 4th, they gave up 23 points but still managed to secure the win.

Boston held Milwaukee to 13 made threes on 40% shooting. The Bucks went to the line 21 times, making 16 free throws. The Celtics grabbed 34 defensive rebounds, allowing 5 offensive boards. They also recorded 5 steals and 2 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Celtics to secure the win, with an expected final score of 124-79. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -15.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 226, and our model projects the Hawks and Celtics to reach a combined total of 203 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Celtics Kick Off NBA Cup Campaign Against Struggling Hawks

The Boston Celtics are set to open their NBA Cup group stage on Tuesday night, hosting the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Both teams are looking to make a statement in this inaugural in-season tournament, with the Celtics aiming to extend their winning streak to three games while the Hawks are desperate to turn things around after a rough patch.

What is the NBA Cup?

For those unfamiliar, the NBA Cup is a new tournament introduced this season, where all 30 teams are divided into six groups within their conferences. The Celtics and Hawks are part of East Group C, which also includes the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and Washington Wizards. Each team plays four group stage games, with the top teams advancing to the knockout rounds.

Celtics Riding Momentum After Big Win Over Bucks

The Celtics come into this game riding high after a gritty 113-107 comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Boston overcame a 17-point first-half deficit, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge. Tatum finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while the Celtics’ defense clamped down, holding Milwaukee to just 38 points in the second half.

Jrue Holiday praised the team’s resilience: “I think we just picked up the intensity. Knowing that they came out and hit shots early, not getting too down on ourselves. Getting back to Celtics basketball.”

Boston also welcomed back Jaylen Brown, who returned after missing four games with a hip flexor strain. Brown contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists, though he admitted he’s still not at 100%. “Felt better physically. Not all the way there yet, but I was able to throw my weight around and explode a little bit better,” Brown said.

Hawks Struggling to Find Consistency

In contrast, the Atlanta Hawks are coming off a tough stretch, having lost seven of their last nine games. Most recently, they fell to the Chicago Bulls 125-113 on Saturday, just one night after a heartbreaking 122-121 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Hawks were outscored 65-43 in the second half against Chicago, including a lopsided 35-15 fourth quarter.

Trae Young highlighted the team’s fatigue and defensive struggles: “We’ve played three back-to-backs in the first two-and-a-half weeks. Nobody’s gonna feel bad for us. We have to fight through it.”

Despite Young’s efforts, the Hawks have struggled with consistency on both ends of the floor. Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson each put up 20 points against the Bulls, but the team’s inability to stop fast breaks and their stagnant offense left them vulnerable.

Capela was candid about the team’s issues: “We gave too many fast-break points to them and they got confident. Once a team gets confident like that, it makes your job harder.”

Key Matchup: Celtics’ Defense vs. Hawks’ Offense

The Celtics have been locking down opponents, particularly in the second half of games, which could spell trouble for an Atlanta team that has struggled to maintain its rhythm. Boston’s defense, led by Holiday and Tatum, will look to neutralize Trae Young, who has been the engine of the Hawks’ offense.

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For Atlanta, the key will be to avoid the offensive stagnation that plagued them against the Bulls. They need to create more ball movement and avoid falling into isolation play if they want to have a shot at taking down the Celtics.

What to Watch For

1. Jaylen Brown’s Continued Return: Brown looked solid in his first game back, but all eyes will be on how he continues to ramp up. If he can regain his full explosiveness, it will be a huge boost for Boston.
2. Can the Hawks Bounce Back?: Atlanta has been reeling, but a strong performance against a top-tier team like the Celtics could be a confidence booster. They’ll need a collective effort, particularly on defense, to slow down Boston’s potent offense.
3. NBA Cup Stakes: This game marks the beginning of the NBA Cup journey for both teams. The added pressure of tournament play could bring out the best in these rivals, making for an intense battle on the court.

Prediction: Celtics Have the Edge

With the momentum of their recent win over the Bucks and the return of Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are in a good position to start their NBA Cup campaign on a high note. The Hawks, while capable of explosive offensive bursts, have been too inconsistent to inspire confidence heading into a tough road game in Boston.

Will the Celtics continue their winning streak, or can the Hawks pull off an upset to regain their footing? One thing’s for sure—this first NBA Cup clash between these Eastern Conference rivals promises to deliver plenty of excitement.