We have a series, folks. The Boston Celtics proved to the world (and to themselves) that they can notch a win over the Atlanta Hawks even without one of their key players in Avery Bradley. The main goal for the C’s now is to replicate their success, and tie the series at two games apiece in tonight’s pivotal Game 4. Can they do it? Or will the Hawks be the ones on the winning side this time around?
Line: Atlanta Hawks (+2) vs. Boston Celtics (-2); total: 204.0–view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks can’t let the loss in Game 3 affect them too much. They still hold the edge in this series, and are in a relatively good position to head back home up 3-1. But for that to happen, the Hawks ought to continue sticking to their well-balanced attack, and more importantly, relocate their touch from beyond the arc.
This team just shot 25 percent from the three-point area in last Friday night’s setback at the TD Garden. Yes, Kyle Korver was phenomenal from that range, hitting 5-of-9 attempts, but the rest simply kept shooting blanks.
The pair of Jeff Teague and Al Horford could attest to this, as both went 0-of-7 combined in their three-point tries. Despite this though, you can’t deny the fact that these two played essential roles in the Hawks’ ability to keep things competitive down the final stretch.
Teague finished with a team-high of 23 points and five assists, while Horford made his presence felt from almost every aspect of the game with eight points, 13 boards and six dimes. As long as both keep producing those kinds of numbers, the Hawks should be able to antagonize the Celtics defense again.
Speaking of antagonizing, Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schroder did just that, too. Both players will enter Game 4 fresh off their best performance in the series. The two scored 20 points apiece, and shot 48.4 percent from the floor combined in Game 3.
Lastly, the Hawks perimeter defense has got to tighten up. It can’t allow Isaiah Thomas, in particular, to go off for another huge offensive performance. Thomas finished with a career-high 42 points and went 5-for-12 from down town.
Atlanta, which is allowing 94.6 points in this series, is 4-6 ATS in its last 10 road games.
Betting on the Boston Celtics
As mentioned earlier, Isaiah Thomas was incredible in Game 3, but it’s going to be a bit hard to see him go off once more against a good defense squad like the Atlanta Hawks. Hence, Thomas’ teammates have got to have his back again in this critical Game 4.
The trio of Evan Turner, Marcus Smart and Jonas Jerebko did just that in the previous game. All were able to score in double-figures, and also made an impact on the opposite end of the floor.
Turner and Smart combined for 28 points, five rebounds, 12 dimes and three blocks. Jerebko, meanwhile, went 5-of-12 from the floor for 11 points along with a team-high of 12 rebounds under his name. These three are going to have to build on their respective performances to help the C’s get another win.
Also, Jae Crowder, in particular, has been the missing link for Boston. Crowder has not been living up to expectations, as he’s put up just a total of 20 points (7-of-36 shooting) in the last three games. Crowder’s got to start coming alive as soon as possible in order for the C’s to stand a relatively better chance of not just winning Game 4, but the entire series itself.
Boston is 6-4 ATS in its previous 10 games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston (-2) takes care of business at home again, 98-94.
