Celtics vs. Hawks prediction and odds for Game 6 (Can Boston close it out?)

The Boston Celtics blew a double-digit fourth quarter lead in Game 5 of their first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks, forcing a Game 6 on Thursday night in Atlanta.

Trae Young hit an absolute dagger with the Hawks trailing by one, saving Atlanta’s season in a game where Dejounte Murray was suspended.

Boston did not get a great game from Jayson Tatum, who shot just 1-for-10 from beyond the arc, but the team is favored in Game 6. I’d expect the Celtics to bounce back and cover, but let’s first look at the odds for this matchup:

Celtics vs. Hawks odds, spread and total

Celtics vs. Hawks prediction and pick

Boston won Game 4 in Atlanta by eight points, and I think the Celtics will win this game pretty handily as well.

Game 5, while not ideal for Boston, was a good reality check for a team that may have been looking ahead a bit after leading for most of the matchup.

Boston was one of the best road teams in the NBA this season, going 25-16 straight up. If Tatum plays better than he did in Game 5, it should make up for Boston’s close loss in that matchup.

Atlanta went 4-5 against the spread as a home underdog this season, and I question if the team will play better with Murray back in the lineup after Young dominated Game 5.

I lean with Boston, who has been the better team all season, to end this series before it gets to a winner-take-all Game 7.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.