PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NBA PLAY OF THE DAY >> Off 2-0 Sunday SWEEP!
(NBA) Boston vs. Atlanta,
Point Spread: -7.50 | -110.00 Boston (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -7.50 | -110.00 Boston (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Celtics may have lost Gordon Hayward for the season in their first game but it's nearly impossible to imagine the team getting off to a better start even if Hayward was playing. The Celtics pulled away from the Magic on Sunday in Orlando, posting a 104-88 victory to extend the team's winning streak to eight games. Speaking of an eight-game streak, the Hawks opened the season with a victory but then lost eight in a row, before ending their skid with Sunday's 117-115 over the Cavs in Cleveland (what to make of the Cavs, so far?)
Boston: Jaylen Brown (15.8 & 6.6) led six Boston players in double figures against Orlando, scoring 18 points. Al Horford (14.6 & 9.1) posted the team's lone double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Kyrie (21.0 & 5.6 APG) leads Bosto n in scoring with rookie Tatum (13.6 & 6.3) also off to a solid start. The Celtics are only averaging 102.9 PPG (23rd) but they lead the league in allowing only 93.2 PPG. They are holding opponents to just 42.4% on FGs (2nd-best), including ranking No. 1 in defensive three-point percentage at 30.8%.
Atlanta: Dennis Schroder (22.5 & 6.6 APG) led seven players in double figures with a season high-tying 28 points as Atlanta won for the first time since its season opener at Dallas on Oct. 18. "To get a win in Cleveland is not easy to do," Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "They had a chance down the stretch where they got back in it, but I'm happy for our guys. It's a good win." In fact, All five starters scored at least 14 points in Sunday's win and Atlanta continued to get solid production out of rookie forward John Collins. The Wake Forest product recorded 12 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in only 24 minutes against the Cavaliers while finishing with a team-high rating of plus-15. Schroder is averaging 22 points in five games since returning from an ankle injury, making 10-of-19 three-pointers after going 1-of-9 from beyond the arc in his first three contests.
The pick: Atlanta coach Budenholzer said "To get a win in Cleveland is not easy to do" but we may want to remind him that the Cavs are just 4-6 on the season, including 2-4 at home. The Hawks may be at home in this one but they are 0-3 SU at home so far, going 2-8 SU & 3-6-1 ATS on the season, overall. Meanwhile, Boston's owns the NBA's best overall record (8-2 SU & 9-1 ATS), including going 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS on the road, Make Boston a 10* play.
Boston: Jaylen Brown (15.8 & 6.6) led six Boston players in double figures against Orlando, scoring 18 points. Al Horford (14.6 & 9.1) posted the team's lone double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Kyrie (21.0 & 5.6 APG) leads Bosto n in scoring with rookie Tatum (13.6 & 6.3) also off to a solid start. The Celtics are only averaging 102.9 PPG (23rd) but they lead the league in allowing only 93.2 PPG. They are holding opponents to just 42.4% on FGs (2nd-best), including ranking No. 1 in defensive three-point percentage at 30.8%.
Atlanta: Dennis Schroder (22.5 & 6.6 APG) led seven players in double figures with a season high-tying 28 points as Atlanta won for the first time since its season opener at Dallas on Oct. 18. "To get a win in Cleveland is not easy to do," Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "They had a chance down the stretch where they got back in it, but I'm happy for our guys. It's a good win." In fact, All five starters scored at least 14 points in Sunday's win and Atlanta continued to get solid production out of rookie forward John Collins. The Wake Forest product recorded 12 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in only 24 minutes against the Cavaliers while finishing with a team-high rating of plus-15. Schroder is averaging 22 points in five games since returning from an ankle injury, making 10-of-19 three-pointers after going 1-of-9 from beyond the arc in his first three contests.
The pick: Atlanta coach Budenholzer said "To get a win in Cleveland is not easy to do" but we may want to remind him that the Cavs are just 4-6 on the season, including 2-4 at home. The Hawks may be at home in this one but they are 0-3 SU at home so far, going 2-8 SU & 3-6-1 ATS on the season, overall. Meanwhile, Boston's owns the NBA's best overall record (8-2 SU & 9-1 ATS), including going 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS on the road, Make Boston a 10* play.
