Is Jaylen Brown playing? The Celtics will need him if they’re to replicate their outstanding performance in Game 1 where they won 112-99 at home.
The Celtics host the Hawks for Game 2 of their seven game series in the Eastern Conference first round. The game is expected to tip-off at 07:00 PM ET, Tuesday, April 18th, 2023.
Off the back of their success in Game 1, the Celtics are a hefty 10.5 point favorite, with no doubts that they’ll be able to take a 2-0 series lead.
IS JAYLEN BROWN PLAYING?
Brown cut his hand on broken glass twelve days ago and during Boston’s 112-99 win over the Hawks, the laceration opened up.
Despite the injury, Brown went on to finish the game with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Brown attended Celtics’ practice on Monday, and head coach Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics star had no restrictions.
Joe Mazzulla says “no restrictions” for Jaylen Brown at practice today 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fiVs9ecgKn
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 17, 2023
Expect to see Jaylen on the court for Game 2.
MATCH PREVIEW
Despite shooting guard Dejounte Murray leading the Hawks with 24 points, the Celtics now hold a 1-0 lead in the series after defeating the opponents in their last matchup.
Boston have been successful against Eastern Conference opponents, boasting a 34-18 record. They rank seventh in the NBA with 26.7 assists per game, largely led by Marcus Smart’s average of 6.3 assists.
On the other hand, the Hawks have a 26-26 record against Eastern Conference opponents and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference. They excel in defensive rebounds, averaging 33.2 per game, with Clint Capela leading the team with an average of eight rebounds.
When it comes to top performers, forward Jayson Tatum has been a force for the Celtics, shooting at 46.6 percent and averaging 30.1 points per game. Derrick White has also been impressive, averaging 2.5 made three-pointers over the last 10 games.
For the Hawks, point guard Trae Young has been a standout player, averaging 26.2 points and 10.2 assists. Murray has also been contributing well, averaging 18.7 points and 5.6 assists over the past 10 games for Atlanta.
In their last 10 games, the Celtics have been on a roll with an 8-2 record, averaging 118.1 points, 48.6 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 6.0 steals, and 6.2 blocks per game. They have been shooting at an impressive 48.7 percent from the field, while their opponents have averaged 104.2 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have a 5-5 record in their last 10 games, averaging 122.2 points, 46.9 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 8.5 steals, and 5.0 blocks per game. They have been shooting at 48.2 percent from the field, but their opponents have averaged 121.4 points per game.
ODDS AND PREDICTIONS
Atlanta is expected to come into Game 2 with a sense of urgency, as they don’t want to fall behind 2-0 in the series. Boston, on the other hand, may be overconfident after winning the first game easily.
Atlanta is unlikely to shoot as poorly from three-point range as they did in the previous game (5-29). With several players who are capable shooters from the outside, expect Atlanta to connect on more long-range shots in Game 2.
The Hawks needs a strong performance in Game 2 to stay in the series, and getting 10 points as an underdog is too good to pass up. Therefore, taking the Hawks plus the points is recommended for this game. But remember, it’s important to keep in mind that sports betting always involves a degree of risk, and there’s no guarantee that the Hawks will shoot better than they did in Game 1. As always, it’s essential to do your research and make an informed decision based on the available data.
Spread: Celtics -10.5
Moneyline: Celtics -510, Hawks +390
Pick: Hawks +10.5
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