Hawks vs. Celtics in Game 6: NBA Picks



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The Hawks forced game six by squeaking out a victory at the Highlight Factory in game five. Game six features the home team Celtics as -6 ½ favourites. Boston would love to wrap up this series tonight, because now that the Hawks got back one of their lost starters, the Celtics don’t want to be facing game seven in Atlanta. Can Boston close it out tonight and face the winner of Bulls versus Sixers?

Bean Town defense

Boston played rather well in game five, but ended up losing by one point. Now they have the Hawks back at home, where the Celtics seem to become a different team. Boston’s home defense improves by five whole points opposed to their overall defensive numbers. The Celtics only give up an average of 84 points per game when playing at TD Garden.

This will be their main weapon against the Hawks in game six, but they will also need to rebound the ball. Boston was -8 in rebounding in game five, and most of that was because of the return of Al Horford for the Hawks. I’ll get into that in a minute.

Covering six and a half points will be a tough task now that the Hawks got back Horford, but Boston’s rebounding and offense improves as well when playing at home, so their ability to play “above and beyond,” should come out in tonight’s game.

Birds migrating

The question is, where will they be migrating? Will they be headed back south for a game seven, or will they be headed for their vacation spots? The Hawks have been a pretty good team against the spread when playing on the road this season, so them coming away with a cover or even a win in possible.

Al Horford coming back for the Hawks could not have come at a better time. After missing virtually the entire season, Horford cam back with a force in game five. After not playing since January, Horford stepped into an elimination playoff game and did not miss a beat. Horford scored 19 points on 53% shooting. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, and had 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

If Horford can continue this kind of play, it will be tough for Boston to win. Horford is the Hawks’ most consistent player, and he might just be the best player on the team. Not taking anything away from Josh Smith, but Horford is a more complete player, and Joe Johnson has not lived up to his monster $120 million contract.

The Pick

I think Boston will win this game, but I see Atlanta covering the six points. Boston has been a very good home team this season. They have won their last seven home games including the playoffs, and they have gone 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 home games.

I like the return of Horford to keep the game close. They played well in the first elimination game, and I see them only losing by two or three points. I’m taking the points with Atlanta

 


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