Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

Hawks vs Celtics November 4th 2024

At 7:45 ET, the Boston Celtics (-508) will travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks (+383). The Celtics are currently 6-1 and are favored by 10 points over the 3-4 Hawks. The over/under line for this Eastern Conference matchup is set at 234.5 points.

This game will be played at State Farm Arena and can be seen on NBCS.

Celtics vs. Hawks Key Information

Boston improved to 6-1 on the season with a 113-103 win over the Hornets on Saturday. The Celtics, favored by 10.5 points, didn’t cover the spread, while the game’s total of 216 points fell short of the 231.5-point O/U line.

Boston jumped out to a 38-24 lead after the 1st quarter and extended it by halftime. However, Charlotte went on a 17-0 run, closing the gap from 68-50 to 68-67. The Celtics responded by entering the 4th quarter with an 85-74 lead and held off the Hornets, who edged them 29-28 in the final period.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points in their win over the Hornets, scoring 13 of those in the opening quarter. Payton Pritchard added 22 points, hitting 6 threes at a 50% clip, and was especially effective in the 2nd quarter, scoring 12 points.

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Luke Kornet was perfect from the field, finishing with 19 points, including 6 in the 4th quarter. The Celtics made 16 threes as a team, shooting just 30.8% from beyond the arc and 43.9% overall.

The Celtics held the Hornets to 103 points on Saturday, giving up 24 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters. Boston allowed 29 points in the 4th but still secured the win. Overall, the Hornets shot 44% from the field.

From beyond the arc, Charlotte hit 17 threes at a 40% clip. The Celtics sent the Hornets to the line just 9 times, where they made 6 free throws. Boston grabbed 36 defensive rebounds, allowing 7 offensive boards, and added 4 steals and 4 blocks.

The Hawks improved to 3-4 on the season with a 126-111 road win over the Pelicans on Sunday. Atlanta, favored by 1.5 points, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 237 points exceeded the over/under line of 225.5 by 11.5 points.

After trailing 59-58 at halftime, the Hawks took control with a 35-26 third quarter. They sealed the game with a 14-0 run, extending the score from 105-97 to 111-105, and finished strong by outscoring the Pelicans 33-26 in the final period.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points in their 113-103 win over the Hornets, scoring 13 in the opening quarter. Payton Pritchard added 22 points, hitting 6 threes at a 50% clip, while Luke Kornet was perfect from the field, finishing with 19 points.

Boston connected on 16 threes, shooting just 30.8% from deep and 43.9% overall. Derrick White contributed 18 points, with 8 coming in the 1st quarter, and Jrue Holiday chipped in 13 points, including 5 in the final period.

Defensively, the Hawks gave up 111 points to the Pelicans but tightened up in the 3rd and 4th quarters, allowing just 26 points in each. Atlanta held New Orleans to 43% shooting from the field.

The Pelicans hit 16 threes at a 42% clip. The Hawks sent them to the line 20 times, where they made 17 free throws. Atlanta finished with 10 steals and 3 blocks.

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +10, the Hawks is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 234.5, and our model projects the Celtics and Hawks to reach a combined total of 216 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

Sizzling Celtics Wrap Up Road Trip Against Rebounding Hawks

The Boston Celtics, off to a blistering 6-1 start, will aim to keep their momentum as they finish a four-game road trip against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The defending NBA champions have dominated Eastern Conference competition thus far, with their lone defeat coming in a tight overtime battle against the Indiana Pacers.

Celtics’ Recent Surge

Boston heads into Atlanta with two consecutive wins over the Charlotte Hornets, sealing both victories with impressive second-half performances. Despite the absence of Jaylen Brown, sidelined with a hip injury, the Celtics looked sharp on Saturday, handling Charlotte 113-103 behind Jayson Tatum’s 29 points and Payton Pritchard’s 22 off the bench. Tatum has been leading Boston’s scoring effort, averaging 30.3 points per game, while Derrick White and Pritchard have stepped up in Brown’s absence, chipping in with 18.7 and 15.7 points per game, respectively.

With Brown ruled out for Monday, Boston’s depth will again be put to the test. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Tatum for his poise and decision-making, particularly in the face of Charlotte’s defensive double-teams.

Hawks Regroup After Defensive Struggles

The Hawks, coming off a morale-boosting 126-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, hope to put a rocky start behind them. After enduring a four-game losing streak during which they allowed 126.3 points per game, Atlanta showed marked improvement on the defensive end in Sunday’s contest, clamping down in the second half.

Jalen Johnson delivered a standout performance, leading the team with 29 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Trae Young contributed 23 points and 12 assists. With Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) and Kobe Bufkin (shoulder) both out indefinitely, and De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu sidelined on Sunday due to knee and toe injuries, Atlanta has leaned on Johnson’s emerging skill set, which includes playmaking and a defensive presence.

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Johnson highlighted Atlanta’s halftime adjustments, noting that an intensified defensive effort allowed them to take control of the game in the second half, a shift they hope to carry into their matchup with the Celtics.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Jayson Tatum vs. Jalen Johnson
   Tatum, a prolific scorer and playmaker, will look to test Johnson, who has shown significant growth on both ends of the floor. If Johnson can apply the same defensive intensity against Tatum, Atlanta could have a better chance of containing Boston’s offensive rhythm.
2. Trae Young vs. Celtics’ Perimeter Defense
   Young’s playmaking and scoring ability present a constant challenge for defenses. Boston’s backcourt, led by Derrick White, will need to disrupt Young’s flow to keep Atlanta from establishing any early momentum.
3. Boston’s Depth vs. Atlanta’s Injuries
   With Brown out, the Celtics will rely on their bench, particularly Pritchard and White. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s roster remains shorthanded, and they’ll need continued contributions from key reserves, especially if Hunter and Okongwu remain sidelined.

Outlook

The Celtics enter this game as the more consistent team, riding a strong start to their title defense and looking to close their road trip on a high note. If Atlanta can replicate Sunday’s defensive adjustments and contain Tatum and Pritchard, they could keep the game close and give themselves a chance for a statement win at home.

The Hawks face a tough task, but the confidence gained from their recent win could fuel a resilient performance as they aim to climb back to .500.