Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Predictions January 18th 2025

Hawks Eye Healthier Lineup for Clash with Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks are hoping to field a healthier lineup as they prepare for a tough road matchup against the Boston Celtics. With several key players dealing with injuries, Atlanta has shown resilience in recent games, but a return to full strength could be crucial against one of the league’s top teams. Meanwhile, the Celtics are looking to build on a dominant win as they seek consistency after a recent slump.

Hawks Overcoming Injuries with Grit

Despite missing five regulars, the Hawks managed to secure a 110-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, showcasing their depth and determination. Trae Young, the team’s star guard, sat out due to a bruised right rib, while Jalen Johnson missed his fifth consecutive game with right shoulder inflammation.

Young, who leads the NBA in assists with 11.9 per game, is averaging 23.1 points per contest and is listed as probable for Saturday’s showdown. His absence against Chicago didn’t slow the Hawks down, but his presence against Boston will be key. Johnson, who has emerged as a consistent double-double threat with 19.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, remains questionable as he continues to recover.

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The Hawks could get a boost from De’Andre Hunter, who is probable to return from a two-game absence due to left foot soreness. However, Larry Nance Jr. (right hand surgery) and rookie Zaccharie Risacher (left adductor irritation) will remain sidelined.

Head coach Quin Snyder praised his team’s fight despite being shorthanded.

“We didn’t look undermanned,” Snyder said. “We had some guys who just competed.”

One of those competitors was Keaton Wallace, who delivered a career-high 27 points, along with six rebounds, six assists, and four steals. His impressive performance, however, was short-lived at the NBA level, as he was sent back to the G League’s College Park Skyhawks on Thursday.

Another surprise contributor was Daeqwon Plowden, who made an immediate impact in his NBA debut, scoring 19 points with five three-pointers.

“I was prepared to come in and do whatever it takes to get a W,” Plowden said. “My teammates supported me in every shot I took and being in the right place at the right time on the floor.”

Celtics Regaining Confidence After Tough Stretch

Boston entered Friday’s game against the Orlando Magic needing a reset after three double-digit losses in a five-game span. The Celtics responded in dominant fashion, cruising to a 121-94 victory and rediscovering their shooting touch in the process.

After struggling from beyond the arc over their previous five games (28.9% from three-point range), Boston found its rhythm against Orlando, connecting on 17 of 37 three-point attempts (45.9%).

“Great bounce-back game for all of us,” said Kristaps Porzingis, who played a key role in the win. “We have real chill guys who are confident in their abilities and we were just in a tough patch for a little bit, but I would say a very necessary one. If it’s smooth sailing for us all the time, where’s the challenge?”

Porzingis believes the recent struggles helped the team refocus.

“This challenged us to look at ourselves in the mirror and fix some things, and here we are. I felt like we got our mojo back. This was a step in the right direction, 100 percent.”

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Another bright spot for Boston was Jaylen Brown, who contributed 20 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals in an all-around performance. Head coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted Brown’s ability to influence the game in multiple ways.

“I thought he brought a great level of intensity,” Mazzulla said. “He had 20 points on 12 shots. He has the ability to impact the game without shooting. … His ability to just impact the game in different ways and bring a high level of intensity is important for us to, you know, to just continue to get better.”

Season Series Tied Heading into Third Matchup

Saturday’s contest will mark the third meeting between the Hawks and Celtics this season. Boston dominated the first matchup with a 123-93 win in Atlanta on Nov. 4. The Hawks evened the series with a narrow 117-116 victory in Boston on Nov. 12, despite Trae Young being sidelined with Achilles tendinitis.

With the series tied and both teams looking to build momentum, Saturday’s matchup promises to be an intense battle. The Hawks will be aiming for another gritty performance, while the Celtics look to prove that their recent struggles are behind them.