The Boston Celtics returned to winning ways Wednesday with a gritty 117-108 victory over the Washington Wizards. Four players scored in double-figures for the Celtics who have now won five of their last six games. Leading the way for Boston in this all-important victory was Isaiah Thomas. He scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter to help the Celtics battle back from a gargantuan 10-point third-quarter deficit. Thomas has now scored at least 20 points in the past 23 games.
The Celtics will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Atlanta Hawks later tonight. For the Celtics to accomplish that feat, they will need to continue their excellent play on the offensive end. Boston is eighth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 107.0 points per game this season. They will have their work cut out for them, however, against an Atlanta side that’s ninth in the NBA in scoring defense, surrendering just 102.6 points per contest.
With Avery Bradley still sidelined with an Achilles problem, the onus is on Thomas to carry the scoring cudgels for the Celtics. He has been a vital cog in Boston’s success this season, leading the team with a 28.2 PPG scoring average. He averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 assists and 2.3 steals in four meetings with Atlanta last season.
The Celtics are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The Atlanta Hawks will head to their showdown with the Boston Celtics with momentum on their side after trouncing the Brooklyn Nets, 117-97, on Tuesday night. Dennis Schroder had 19 points and 10 assists while Dwight Howard added 14 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Hawks to a season-high seventh straight win.
Howard has been solid in his first year for Atlanta, averaging 14.0 points and a team-high 13.4 boards. It will be interesting to see how he fares against Al Horford who will be making his much-anticipated return to Atlanta since bolting the Hawks for the Celtics last summer. Horford’s averaging 15.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in 29 games for the Celtics this season.
Key to the Hawks’ sudden resurgence has been their superb play on the defensive end. Atlanta’s allowing an average of just 96.1 points over its last seven games. We can argue that Kyle Korver’s shock transfer to the Cavs has made the Hawks an even better defensive team. They allowed 106.4 points per 100 possessions when Korver was on the court, compared with 98.4 with him off the court.
The Hawks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Atlanta (-2.5) stretches its unbeaten run to eight games with a 102-96 victory.
