Hawks vs Celtics Game 5 Prediction & Best Bets

Tonight, the first Eastern Conference semifinal matchup could be set as the second-seeded Boston Celtics will look to finish off the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 at TD Garden (7:30 pm ET, TNT).

After the Hawks trimmed the Celtics' series lead with a Game 3 win on Friday, Boston moved within a win of wrapping up the series with a 129-121 win on Sunday.

Will they seal the deal tonight at home, or will Atlanta be able to pull a major stunner and send the series back to State Farm Arena? Read on for our Hawks vs Celtics prediction, as well as our best bets for Game 5.

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Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 2:45 pm ET.

Spread

• Atlanta Hawks +13 (-110)
• Boston Celtics -13 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 230.5 (-110)
• Under 230.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Atlanta Hawks +610
• Boston Celtics -900

Is There Any Hope for the Hawks?

If you don't want to read any further, the one-word answer is no.

The Hawks did well to win Game 3, but they have otherwise been a few steps behind the Celtics.

In Game 4, Atlanta did make things interesting for a bit in the second half by after trailing by a dozen at halftime.

But they were not able to get closer than three points, which they did in the final half-minute of the third quarter then promptly allowed a Marcus Smart dunk.

Trae Young had his most productive game of the series, scoring 35 points and dishing out 15 assists, and De'Andre Hunter (27 points, seven rebounds) and Dejounte Murray (23 points, nine rebounds, six assists) both had 20-point performances.

But yet again, the Hawks were not up to the task defensively, and Boston had six players who scored in double figures, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each putting up 31 points.

As if Atlanta wasn't up against it as it is, they will have to try to stay alive while shorthanded, as Murray was suspended for tonight's game after making contact with an official after Sunday's loss.

That is a huge, huge blow for the Hawks, as Murray is averaging 25.3 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 5.8 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game in the series. It's hard to see Atlanta being able to force a Game 6 without Murray.

Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction for Hawks vs Celtics: Celtics to win

Best Bets for Hawks vs Celtics: Celtics team total over 121.5 (Best Value: Bovada Sportsbook)

Best Player Prop Bets for Hawks vs Celtics

• Derrick White over 15.5 points (Best Value: BetOnline)

White has gone over this number three times in this series, scoring 24 points in Game 1, 26 points in Game 2, and 18 points in Game 4.

A key part of that production has been sharpshooting from the perimeter. White, who averaged 1.8 made threes a game and shot 38.1% from three in the regular season, is averaging 3.3 made threes and shooting 52% from three in this series.

• Bogdan Bogdanovic over 16.5 points (Best Value: BetOnline)

With Murray out, Bogdanovic should get a lot of minutes and a lot of looks tonight. I don't love to call any play easy money, but I really, really, really like this play for tonight.

Where to Bet on Hawks vs Celtics

Here are four legal sports betting sites that we highly recommend and have reviewed, where you can bet on this year's NBA postseason action.

This is obviously a very popular time of year for NBA betting, and you can get in on the action at any of the top sports betting sites out there.

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