The Boston Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday in the second game of a three-game homestand. Boston won the first game of the homestand, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 108-100 to win outright as a 5.5-point underdog.
Boston will be getting points at home for the second consecutive night, installed as a seven-point underdog at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The total opened at 206.5 points. Boston will follow that up by facing the Chicago Bulls at home on Friday, and then traveling to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
Boston is 3-1 against the spread in its last four games, while Atlanta has won seven straight ATS. The two teams have split the last four games ATS, while Atlanta is 3-1 straight-up. Boston is 6-4 SU and ATS in its last ten home games, and the total went OVER in five of them. Atlanta has won nine straight road games SU and ATS, and the total went UNDER in five of them. The OddsShark Computer predicts a 108-100 Hawks victory, providing an Atlanta cover and coming UNDER the point total.
Wednesday features a big matchup in each conference. Chicago hosts the Washington Wizards in their third matchup of the season, with the Bulls a 5.5-point favorite. The teams split the first two games SU and ATS, both in Washington. Chicago is 2-6 ATS in its last eight home games, while Washington is 1-3-1 in its last five road games.
As well, Portland hosts the Los Angeles Clippers, with the Trail Blazers looking to keep pace with Golden State. Portland is a 4.5-point favorite in their second matchup of the season. The Trail Blazers lost 106-102 in Los Angeles in November, but covered a 4.5-point spread. The Clippers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games against Portland according to the OddsShark NBA Database.
The biggest spread of Wednesday has Toronto installed as a 16-point favorite at home against Philadelphia. Toronto is 5-4 ATS this season as a double-digit favorite, while Philadelphia is 10-10 ATS this season as a double-digit underdog. The computer predicts Toronto will win 103-89, failing to cover.
The closest spread of Wednesday is Denver as a two-point home favorite against Dallas. The Nuggets opened as a 4.5-point favorite. Dallas has lost three straight ATS, while Denver is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games.
The matchups with big early playoff implications on Friday include San Antonio hosting Portland and Toronto hosting Atlanta.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
