NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
The Atlanta Hawks head to TD Garden on Wednesday, January 28 to face the Boston Celtics, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. This is a classic Eastern Conference showdown between two teams in very different places. The Celtics remain the class of the East, while the Hawks continue to underachieve despite having star talent.
Boston enters as a 6.5-point home favorite and sits at -280 on the moneyline. Atlanta, a +228 underdog, has the offensive firepower to hang around but hasn’t shown much consistency. With a total of 230.5, oddsmakers are expecting points — but defensive intensity could tighten up late if this stays competitive.
Trusted NBA betting insight.
Built for bettors who want profit.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Odds
Here are the current lines for this Wednesday matchup. Always track movement on the latest NBA odds page.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | +228 | +6.5 (-110) | O 230.5 (-110) |
| Boston Celtics | -280 | -6.5 (-111) | U 230.5 (-110) |
Atlanta Hawks Betting Form
The Hawks are 21–26 and continue to hover around the play-in line in the East. They’ve shown some flashes offensively — especially when Trae Young is rolling — but defensive lapses, poor rotations, and rebounding issues have kept them from building momentum. You can follow their numbers via the Atlanta Hawks stats and results.
Atlanta is top 10 in pace and three-point attempts, but they’re bottom five in defensive efficiency. Their perimeter defense has been especially leaky, which is a major red flag against Boston’s spacing-heavy offense. Offensively, they rely on a high pick-and-roll diet with Young and Dejounte Murray, but stagnation happens quickly when their shots don’t fall.
This isn’t a team bettors can trust ATS — just 4-9 in their last 13 overall. Always monitor the Atlanta Hawks injury report for updates on Young, who’s occasionally rested or limited this season.
Boston Celtics Betting Form
Boston is the best home team in the NBA this season. They’ve been dominant at TD Garden, both straight up and ATS, and their depth has only grown stronger as the season’s progressed. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis, they boast elite two-way talent across all positions. Their trends can be followed at the Boston Celtics schedule and stats.
Defensively, the Celtics rank top three in efficiency and hold opponents to the second-fewest points per game. Offensively, they’re elite in spacing, ball movement, and shooting volume. They average over 16 made threes per game — a matchup nightmare for an Atlanta team that can’t stay in front of shooters.
Boston is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 and has covered six of its last seven at home. The only potential concern here is a late-game letdown if they build a big lead early. Check the Boston Celtics injury report to confirm full availability — they’ve rested players on short notice in recent weeks.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Matchup Breakdown
There’s no mystery here: Boston has better depth, more defensive consistency, and multiple shot-makers. The Hawks’ only real edge comes if Young catches fire and Boston’s offense gets cold from deep — but the Celtics are too balanced to bet on a full collapse.
Key matchup points:
- 3-point gap: Celtics average 3.5 more made 3s per game
- Rebounding edge: Boston ranks 4th in rebounding rate; Atlanta ranks 23rd
- Halfcourt defense: Boston allows just 0.94 points per halfcourt possession (top 3)
- Foul control: Both teams are disciplined, so FT volume likely won’t swing the game
Atlanta’s style — fast, offense-first, low resistance — plays right into Boston’s hands. Unless the Hawks go nuclear from deep, they’re unlikely to cover without a big performance from the bench.
NBA analysis that actually matters.
Stop guessing and start winning.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Predictions and Best Bets
The Celtics are simply better in every phase. They have home court, matchup advantages, and are fully capable of pulling away in the second half. The spread isn’t cheap at -6.5, but Boston has covered bigger numbers against better teams. Unless we see major absences, this is their game to control.
Lean Boston to cover. The Hawks just don’t play enough defense to survive stretches where their shots don’t fall. It’s also worth noting that Boston rarely lets up against sub-.500 teams — they’ve been focused and dominant in those spots.
The total at 230.5 is close to market average, but with both teams preferring up-tempo possessions and Boston’s perimeter shooting, a lean Over makes sense if both squads hit early. Still, it’s not the sharpest angle with potential blowout risk.
Best Bet: Boston Celtics -6.5 (-111)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Want more expert analysis? Visit the today’s NBA picks page for fresh breakdowns on sides, totals, and player props.
Compare performance across dozens of experts with the handicapper leaderboard and follow elite bettors through the top sports handicappers.
For premium bets backed by data, check the buy expert picks section. And if you’re sharpening your strategy, don’t miss the NBA betting guide for actionable tips and trends.
