Celtics vs. Hawks Betting Preview: Atlanta in Good Spot at Home

The first-place Boston Celtics travel south to play the third-placed Atlanta Hawks. The teams split their four meetings last year, but the home team won and covered every time.

The Celtics are on a good start this season thanks to the play of Jayson Tatum. They take more shots from three than any other team in the league and make them at a high rate. Their defense is below-average, but they are better than their numbers would suggest. They are giving up a lot of mid-range shots, and they prevent their opponents from taking threes and layups. The defense should improve when Robert Williams III returns. It's also giving opponents the least efficient shot. Celtics opponents are making scoring with the fifth-highest efficiency at 44.8%.

The Celtics are trying to limit their opponents' midrange shots and protect the 3-point line at all costs. The Hawks take the most midrange shot in the league and make them at a 42.5% clip. Dejounte Murray's acquisition from the Spurs has improved the Hawks' defense. Celtics and Hawks are going to play each other at home tonight. Celtics won't take many shots at the rim. Hawks give up the fifth fewest 3's and are second best at defending the three. Boston is first in attempts from three and fifth in accuracy.

The Celtics and Hawks split the season series 2-2. The home team won the last six games between the two teams. The Celtics won by nine points on March 1. Atlanta won all the games last season by an average of 12.2 points per game.