Hawks vs Celtics Game 2 Prediction & Best Bets: Will the C’s cruise again at home?

The Boston Celtics didn't bring their best for all four quarters in Saturday's Game 1 win over the Chicago Cubs. However, they didn't need to in order to dispatch the Hawks 112-99 and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Will that advantage increase in Boston before the two teams head to Atlanta to continue the series? That is what the Celtics will be aiming for when the teams meet for Game 2 on Tuesday night (7:00 pm ET, NBA TV).

How should you bet Game 2 at TD Garden? Read on for our Hawks vs Celtics best bets, as well as our prediction for the matchup.

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Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Monday, April 17, 2023.

Spread

• Atlanta Hawks +10.5 (-110)
• Boston Celtics -10.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 230 (-108)
• Under 238 (-112)

Moneyline

• Atlanta Hawks +420
• Boston Celtics -560

Hawks Highly Unlikely to Upset the Odds in Game 2

So, let's take a look at the good news from Game 1 for Atlanta.

Well, in terms of points allowed, they performed better in Game 1 than they did on average during the regular season.

In the regular season, the Hawks allowed 118.1 points per game, which was third worst in the Eastern Conference. So, allowing 112 is mathematically a notable improvement, especially when you consider that they gave up 74 of those points in the first half.

Also, despite giving up 74 first-half points and trailing by 30 at halftime, Atlanta didn't completely mail it in. They outscored Boston 55-38 in the second half, which helped make the final score look a lot more respectable than it was on track to at the half.

The Hawks found themselves down by ten after a quarter, but the worst was yet to come. The second quarter was the nightmare to end all nightmares, as the Celtics shot 15 of 21 from the field, including 7 of 8 from three, and were 8 of 9 from the foul line as they outscored the Hawks 45-25.

Boston made only 15 field goals in a second half in which they shot only 34.9% (15 of 43). But you aren't going to be able to keep up when your best player isn't performing well and when your own shooting is off, and those are the two other major issues for Atlanta.

In Game 1, Trae Young was only 5 of 18 from the field, and he was only 1 of 5 from three on a night in which the Hawks made only 5 of 29 (17.2%) from three. In his last six games, Young is only 3 of 33 from outside, and that isn't going to cut it when others aren't picking up the slack.

Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics Prediction and Best Bets

Prediction for Hawks vs Celtics: Celtics to win

Best Bets for Hawks vs Celtics: Celtics to cover (Best Value: -10 @ Bovada Sportsbook)

I'm not going to completely discount Atlanta's chances of making things interesting, even in Boston. The Hawks can certainly make a game of it, especially if Young can find his shot.

However, there are a lot of ifs that need to transpire for the Hawks to have a real chance of evening the series. And I just don't see those ifs happening.

Things got a little tighter than expected in the second half on Saturday, but Boston led by double digits for the last 34 minutes of the game. I think Atlanta might take a game at home, but Game 2 shapes up to be another stroll for the home team.

Best Player Prop Bets for Hawks vs Celtics

• Trae Young over 24.5 points (Best Value: BetMGM)

I don't think the Hawks will have a better outcome in Game 2 than they did in Game 1, but I expect Young to have a much more productive performance after being limited to 16 points in the series opener.

In the regular season, Young scored fewer than 20 points 14 times. In those 14 instances, he scored 25 or more points in the following game ten times, including seven 30-point games.

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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