Hawks Riding Winning Streak, Celtics Seek Bounce-Back Victory
Hawks vs Celtics: January 2025 Game Preview & Prediction
On Saturday night, the Atlanta Hawks will travel to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics in an exciting NBA showdown. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, we provide an in-depth analysis of their recent form, key players, and statistical trends to help you make an informed prediction.
Hawks on a Winning Streak
The Atlanta Hawks (21-19, 17-23 ATS) are coming off a solid 110-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Atlanta has been finding its rhythm, winning two consecutive games and posting a 6-4 straight-up record over its last ten contests. However, they have been inconsistent against the spread, sitting at a .425 ATS win rate for the season.
In their most recent win, the Hawks were relentless on defense, forcing the Bulls into 20 turnovers. Despite shooting a lower percentage than Chicago and being outscored in the paint 62-52, Atlanta’s defense and three-point shooting helped them secure the win. The Hawks hit seven more three-pointers than Chicago and capitalized on turnovers for 22 points.
Trae Young continues to lead the charge for the Hawks, averaging 23.1 points and 11.9 assists per game. Alongside him, Jalen Johnson (19.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 5.3 APG), De’Andre Hunter (19.4 PPG), and Dyson Daniels (13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG) have stepped up as key contributors.
Despite their offensive firepower, the Hawks have been plagued by defensive struggles, ranking 28th in points allowed per game (119.2) and 24th in field goal defense (47.7%). They will need to tighten up defensively if they hope to challenge the Celtics in Boston.
Celtics Looking to Bounce Back
On the flip side, the Boston Celtics (28-12, 15-24-1 ATS) are coming off a disappointing 110-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Despite boasting one of the best records in the league, the Celtics have lost three of their last five games and are just 6-4 in their last ten. They struggled mightily in their most recent defeat, shooting under 40% from the field and being outworked in the paint, where they were outscored 60-40 and outrebounded 56-45.
Boston’s shooting woes were also evident as they went just 16-for-46 from beyond the arc and 9-for-18 from the free-throw line. While the Celtics had been shooting at a high clip earlier in the season, their recent form has raised concerns heading into this matchup with the Hawks.
Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ superstar, continues to dominate with averages of 27.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Jaylen Brown (23.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.7 APG), Kristaps Porzingis (18.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG), and Derrick White (16.2 PPG, 4.3 APG) are also vital to the Celtics’ success.
Boston ranks second in both overall rating and offensive rating, averaging 117.5 points per game (4th) and shooting 45.7% from the field (18th). Defensively, they’ve been one of the league’s top teams, allowing only 108.8 points per game (6th) and holding opponents to 45.4% shooting (6th). The Celtics will need to correct their recent issues and find better shooting form to keep up with Atlanta’s high-scoring offense.
Conclusion
While the Hawks have been solid recently, the Celtics’ all-around talent and home-court advantage make them the favorites in this matchup. Tatum and Brown are expected to lead Boston to a much-needed win, but Atlanta’s offensive firepower will likely keep the game close. However, if the Celtics can shore up their defense and improve their shooting, they should be able to overcome the Hawks’ defensive lapses.
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