PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* ESPN SHOWCASE (Part 1) >> Celtics/Hawks! 7-2 Past 2 Days!
(NBA) Boston vs. Atlanta,
Total: 212.50 | -102.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 212.50 | -102.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 24-14 Boston Celtics will be in Atlanta tonight to take on the 22-16 Hawks, who currently own the NBA's longest active winning streak at seven in a row. The Celtics also are hot, winning 11 of their past 14 games but the biggest storyline in this game will be the return of Al Horford. He signed a big FA deal during teh off-season with Boston, after playing his first nine seasons with the Hawks. "It's a new experience for me," Horford told reporters after Boston's 117-he8 victory over Washington, "but I have a job to do here with our team."
Boston: Horford is averaging 15.3 PPG and 6.9 RPG in his first season with Boston, along with career highs in assists (4.9), blocked shots (1.9) and free-throw percentage (84.5 percent). Guard Isaiah Thomas scored 38 points in his 400th career NBA game Wednesday on 14-of-29 shooting, and entered Thursday fourth in the league in scoring at 28.2 points per game. Thomas (28.2 & 6.1 APG) has scored 20 or more points in 23 consecutive games, surpassed in team history by only John Havlicek (40 games) and Kevin McHale (30 games).
Atlanta: The Hawks are averaging 106.4 PPG during their winning streak while holding six of seven opponents to fewer than 100 points (an average of 96.1 PPG and two games have gone to OT!). Horford's replacement at center is Dwight Howard, who is averaging 14.0 PPG and 13.4 RPG (ranks third in the NBA in rebounds), plus he's also fourth in FG percentage at 63.2 percent. PG Dennis Schroder averages a team-best 17.8 PPG and has bumped that to 20 points per contest during the winning streak (no one misses Jeff Teague). Atlanta's seven-game winning streak has allowed them to regain first place in the Southeast Division and the team is longer listening to trade offers for forward Paul Millsap (17.6 & 8.2). Millsap and Horford (see above) were cornerstones of a team that won 60 games two seasons ago, but it appeared both would be gone when the Hawks lost 10 of 11 games and rumors of a dismantling started to swirl.
The pick: This will be the third game in four nights over three cities for the Celtics, who were without five players but still won for the fifth time in six games on Wednesday against Washington at home. Boston will be without G Avery Bradley (18.0 & 7.0), center Tyler Zeller and G/F James Young on Friday but is hoping starting forward Amir Johnson (6.6 & 4.5) and reserve forward Jaylen Brown will be available (both missed Wednesday's game with sprained ankles). Don't be too sure. Intensity should be high for this game but the Celtics have played TWELVE straight overs! Why buck that trend, here? The Over is a 10* play.
Boston: Horford is averaging 15.3 PPG and 6.9 RPG in his first season with Boston, along with career highs in assists (4.9), blocked shots (1.9) and free-throw percentage (84.5 percent). Guard Isaiah Thomas scored 38 points in his 400th career NBA game Wednesday on 14-of-29 shooting, and entered Thursday fourth in the league in scoring at 28.2 points per game. Thomas (28.2 & 6.1 APG) has scored 20 or more points in 23 consecutive games, surpassed in team history by only John Havlicek (40 games) and Kevin McHale (30 games).
Atlanta: The Hawks are averaging 106.4 PPG during their winning streak while holding six of seven opponents to fewer than 100 points (an average of 96.1 PPG and two games have gone to OT!). Horford's replacement at center is Dwight Howard, who is averaging 14.0 PPG and 13.4 RPG (ranks third in the NBA in rebounds), plus he's also fourth in FG percentage at 63.2 percent. PG Dennis Schroder averages a team-best 17.8 PPG and has bumped that to 20 points per contest during the winning streak (no one misses Jeff Teague). Atlanta's seven-game winning streak has allowed them to regain first place in the Southeast Division and the team is longer listening to trade offers for forward Paul Millsap (17.6 & 8.2). Millsap and Horford (see above) were cornerstones of a team that won 60 games two seasons ago, but it appeared both would be gone when the Hawks lost 10 of 11 games and rumors of a dismantling started to swirl.
The pick: This will be the third game in four nights over three cities for the Celtics, who were without five players but still won for the fifth time in six games on Wednesday against Washington at home. Boston will be without G Avery Bradley (18.0 & 7.0), center Tyler Zeller and G/F James Young on Friday but is hoping starting forward Amir Johnson (6.6 & 4.5) and reserve forward Jaylen Brown will be available (both missed Wednesday's game with sprained ankles). Don't be too sure. Intensity should be high for this game but the Celtics have played TWELVE straight overs! Why buck that trend, here? The Over is a 10* play.
