Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks
Philips Arena – Atlanta, Georgia
Friday, April 20, 2012, 7:05 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Atlanta -6 1/2
Current Line: Atlanta -10
Opening Total: 180
Current Total: 178 1/2
Opening Money Line: Hawks -275 / Celtics +235
Current Money Line: Hawks -650 / Celtics +475
You don’t often see a 3.5 point line move on an NBA game, unless something drastic happens. Well, something drastic is happening in Atlanta, as Boston is resting Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen (ankle), Mickael Pietrus (knee), and Rajon Rondo (back) are all out as well tonight against the Hawks. The 37-26 Celtics, coached by Doc Rivers, have already clinched the Atlantic Division and are locked into the #4 seed in the East. They can’t catch the Pacers for the #3 seed, and as a division champion can’t be seeded lower than 4th. Boston is trying to hold off Atlanta and Orlando for home court advantage in the first round. The Celtics have won 3 of their last 4 games including a 102-98 home win over Orlando Wednesday night. The Celtics were without Allen, Pietrus, and Rondo, but Orlando was playing without Dwight Howard.
The 37-25 Atlanta Hawks, coached by Larry Drew can’t be seeded higher than #5 or lower than #6 in the East. However, if they finish with a better record than Boston, they will get home court advantage in that series. The Celtics do hold the tiebreaker though. The Hawks lead Orlando by a game for the #5 spot. The Hawks have gone 6-2 in April including two wins in a row. Atlanta won at home Wednesday against Detroit 116-84.
Boston won both previous match-ups this season, both by three points or less. The Celtics won 79-76 March 19 in Atlanta, and 88-86 in overtime April 11 in Boston.
Boston is outscoring opponents 92-90 this season. The Celtics are #3 in points allowed in the NBA. Boston is shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.8% from 3 point range. The Celtics make 78.1% from the free throw line. Boston is in the top 6 in the league in all three shooting categories. Boston is last in the league in rebounding averaging just 38.8 a game with a rebounding margin of -4.3. The Celtics average 23.8 assists, 14.9 turnovers, 7.3 steals, and 5.5 blocks a game. Boston is first in the league in assists. Celtic opponents are shooting 41.9% from the field and 30.4% from 3 point range. The Celtics lead the lead in both categories. Boston forces 15.4 turnovers a game.
Paul Pierce averages 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Kevin Garnett averages 15.9 points, 8.4 rebounds to lead the team, 2.9 assists, and 1 block a game. Ray Allen averages 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. He has missed the last 5 games with an ankle injury and 11 of the last 16. He is listed as probable tonight. Forward Brandon Bass averages 12.6 points, and 6.2 rebounds a game. Rajon Rondo averages 12.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 11.6 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He leads the league in assists, and leads the Celtics in steals. Center Jermaine O’Neal led the Celtics in blocks with 1.7 a game, but he is out for the season with a wrist injury. Bass, SG Avery Bradley, and PF Chris Wilcox will have to pick up the scoring slack with so many top stars out for the Celtics tonight.
Atlanta is outscoring opponents 96-93 this season. The Hawks are #5 in points allowed in the league. The Hawks shoot 45% from the field and 36.2% from 3 point range. Atlanta is in the top 15 in the league in both categories. The Hawks make 73.9% of their free throws. Atlanta averages 41.3 rebounds with a rebounding margin of -1.4. The Hawks average 22.3 assists, 13.7 turnovers, 8.1 steals, and 4.6 blocks a game. Atlanta opponents are shooting 44.1% from the field and 33.7% from 3 point range. The Hawks are in the top 11 in both categories. Atlanta forces 15.2 turnovers a game.
Power forward Josh Smith averages 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks a game. He leads the Hawks in points, rebounds, and blocks. Shooting guard Joe Johnson averages 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists a game. Point guard Jeff Teague averages 12.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. He leads the Hawks in assists and steals. Center Al Horford has missed all but 11 games with a torn pectoral muscle. He has been to cleared to return to contact in practice, and could return for the playoffs. Small forward Marvin Williams averages 10 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists a game. Forward Zaza Pachulia is out indefinitely with a foot injury.
Atlanta is 34-26-2 ATS and the total is 29-32-1 this season. Boston is 31-30-2 ATS and the total is 27-33-3 this season. The Hawks are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 against the Celtics in Atlanta, and the under is 4-1 in the last 5. The Celtics are 7-2 ATS on 1 day rest, 6-2-1 in road games, 3-1-2 as an underdog, 9-3 against Southeast division teams, 3-1-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 10-4-2 overall, 7-3-1 after a straight up win, and 7-15 in Friday games. The Hawks are 4-0 against teams with winning records, 5-1 overall, against Eastern Conference teams, and against Atlantic Division teams, 4-1 in Friday games, 8-2-1 as a favorite, 11-4-1 after a straight up win, 5-2 after a cover, as a home favorite, and at home against teams with losing road records, and 2-5 as a home favorite of 5-10.5 points.
The Boston Celtics shouldn’t be a ten point road underdog against any team. However, these aren’t really the Celtics, even though they will be wearing the green and white uniforms. This is more like watching the Maine Red Claws of the D-League. It is clear the Celtics don’t really care too much if they get home court advantage against either the Hawks or the Magic. A veteran team like Boston can win on the road in the playoffs. The Hawks should roll against a depleted Celtics team.
