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Hawks desperate for win Wednesday hosting Celtics
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 4/9/2014  at  3:39:00 AM
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BOSTON CELTICS (23-54)

at ATLANTA HAWKS (34-43)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:35 p.m. ET
Line: Atlanta -7, Total: 204

The Celtics look to snap an eight-game losing streak while playing spoiler when they visit the Hawks on Wednesday night.

Boston has not been in playoff contention for months, but the club is still playing hard and has the opportunity to cause Atlanta some real trouble with its playoff push by picking up a road victory, something that has happened just eight times all season (8-30 SU, 21-17 ATS on road). The Celtics have just one SU win in their past 14 games (6-8 ATS), but that came against the defending champion Heat on March 19. They were able to cover in their most recent game though, a 115-111 loss in Detroit on Sunday. The Hawks also dropped their last game against the Pistons, losing 102-95 at home on Tuesday to snap a two-game win streak. They are just 3-8 (SU and ATS) in their past 11 games, but have played pretty well at home this season with a 22-15 SU mark (18-19 ATS). In three meetings between these teams this season, Boston is 2-1 (SU and ATS), including a 115-104 win in the most recent meeting as a three-point favorite on Feb. 26. Over the past three seasons, these teams have split wins SU (4-4) when playing in Atlanta, but Boston is 6-2 ATS in those contests. The Celtics are 9-1 ATS after two straight games of being called for five or more fouls than their opponent this season. But luckily for the Hawks, the Celtics are just 12-22 ATS after one or more consecutive Overs this season. Atlanta is also 13-8 ATS this season in a home game where the total is between 200 and 209.5.

Can Atlanta pick up a crucial victory while covering the sizable spread? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2012-13 season. StatFox Zach is a strong 62% ATS (13-8) since March 9, while StatFox Gary has remained hot with a 57% ATS mark (20-15) since Feb. 13. StatFox Dave has a profitable 56% ATS (50-40-2) Best Bets record since Dec. 1.

The Celtics were a competitive team in the first half of the season, but they have fallen apart since. PG Rajon Rondo (11.5 PPG, 9.6 APG, 5.3 RPG) is coming off of a triple-double in a loss to Philadelphia on Friday when he had 11 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes of play. Rondo tallied 22 points and 11 assists in his only game against the Hawks this season. In Boston’s most recent loss at the hands of the Pistons, SG Jerryd Bayless had 25 points (10-of-19 FG) in 41 minutes. Bayless is averaging 24.0 PPG over the past two contests, and will need to continue his tremendous offensive play if the Celtics are going to hurt the Hawks’ playoff chances. PF Jared Sullinger (13.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG) had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the Pistons. Over the past five games, Sullinger is averaging 15.0 PPG, and he should have a favorable matchup against the depleted front line of Atlanta. SF Jeff Green (16.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG) is going to be the X-factor in determining who wins this game. Green had 23 points (8-of-21 FG) in the loss to Detroit, but his shot has been off during the past five games (35% FG). If Green isn’t scoring somewhat efficiently for Boston, the team will have little chance to come away with this road upset.

The Hawks are in a fight with the Knicks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, leading New York by just one-half game, making this win over the Celtics imperative for their chances of playing in the postseason. In Tuesday’s loss to the Pistons, PF Paul Millsap (18.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG) had 24 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes. Over the past five games, the All-Star is averaging 21.4 PPG and 12.4 RPG. He will need to win his matchup with Jared Sullinger if the Hawks are going to pick up a much-needed victory. PG Jeff Teague (16.4 PPG, 6.9 APG) has been playing well as of late for Atlanta, averaging 18.6 PPG (51% FG, 42% threes) and 7.2 APG over the past five contests. Teague has a difficult matchup with Rajon Rondo in this one, but he is averaging 18.3 PPG and 6.3 APG in games against Boston this season. The Hawks will need a big game from SF Kyle Korver (12.2 PPG, 48% threes) if they are going to win this game. Korver has been extremely cold recently, averaging just 10.8 PPG (37% FG, 36% threes) over the past five contests. If Korver isn’t hitting his open looks, then it will be very difficult for Atlanta to win this game.


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