The Boston Celtics had to wait a little longer to find out who their matchup would be in the first round of the NBA playoffs. As the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, they were set to face the team who won the 7th/8th seed NBA Play-In Tournament game, which ended up being the Atlanta Hawks.
The regular season matchup between these two teams was a lopsided one. Boston swept the three games, with one victory being a 25-point difference. Atlanta is hoping that they can find more success in the playoffs, but oddsmakers aren’t anticipating it.
Right now, the Celtics are the biggest favorites to win their first-round series. They are -1200 on the money line to advance while the Hawks are +750. The series spread is Boston -2.5 at -162 and Atlanta +2.5 at +132. Based on those numbers, it would be surprising if the Hawks won even a single game.
What can we expect to see in this series? Here is all the information you need to watch the games with some analysis and predictions for the upcoming series.
Game Schedule (*=If Necessary)
Game 1: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics on 4/15 at 3:30 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics on 4/18 at 7:00 PM ET, NBA TV
Game 3: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks on 4/21 at 7:00 PM ET, ESPN
Game 4: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks 4/23 at 7:00 PM ET, TNT
*Game 5: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics TBD
*Game 6: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks TBD
*Game 7: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics TBD
Keys To Series
1. Rebounding Battle
There aren’t many weaknesses when it comes to this matchup for the Hawks to exploit. But, if there is one area where they can make some noise it is on the boards. Atlanta found success hitting the offensive glass in the regular season, pulling down 14.3 per game against Boston.
Part of that could be because the Hawks missed so many shots they had more opportunities to grab rebounds. But, they may have figured something out because the Celtics are the best defensive rebounding team in the NBA with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.6.
A big reason for their struggles against the Hawks was that Robert Wiliams III wasn’t in the lineup. But Atlanta has looked better with Quin Synder on the sidelines and could continue finding success in the paint.
2. Staying Healthy
The Celtics had some injury scares heading into the postseason. Jaylen Brown suffered a laceration on his hand while in his home and Marcus Smart was dealing with neck spasms. Missing either would have complicated things for the Celtics, but both look good to go heading into Game 1.
That is important as the Hawks will have all hands on deck for the series as well. There were no players on their injury report following their victory over the Heat on Tuesday. An injury could quickly turn the tides of the series and even things out.
3. Can Dejounte Murray Carry The Load?
The Hawks made a splash during the 2022 offseason by acquiring Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs. They wanted to add a player that would help take pressure off of Trae Young, capable of creating and running the offense.
Murray played well for the Spurs despite Young remaining as ball dominant as ever. Slowing Young down will be near the top of the Celtics’ defensive game plan, putting pressure on Murray to step up.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Boston Celtics & Atlanta Hawks Updates
This is the exact kind of situation that the Hawks acquired Murray for. It is time for him to show that Atlanta made the right decision unloading so many draft picks for him last summer.
X-Factor: Bench Production
One of the biggest advantages that the Celtics will have in any series that they play is their depth. They have a deep rotation and found success against the Hawks during the regular season using everyone on their roster.
While the regular season finale skewed some of the numbers, 10 different players averaged double-digit points for Boston against Atlanta. The Hawks’ bench improved with the addition of Saddiq Bey to pair with Bogdan Bogdanovic and Onyeka Okongwu, so they could flip the script this series.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Boston Celtics & Atlanta Hawks Updates
If the Hawks are going to have any chance to remain competitive, they will need their role players to step up and perform at a high level.
Prediction
The Celtics are huge favorites in this series and for good reason. They have been one of the best teams in the NBA all season while Atlanta has floundered for the majority of it, undergoing a midseason coaching change.
The Hawks have to feel good after defeating the Heat in the Play-In Game, but facing off against the Celtics is a totally different animal. While they could find their moments during games, this is a series that will be over as quickly as possible.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Boston Celtics & Atlanta Hawks Updates
Boston will sweep the Hawks, who will look to shake things up once again this offseason looking to recapture the success they had in 2021 when they went to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics will advance and face off against the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets series.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
