The Celtics and Nuggets are both in position to take 3–0 series leads over their first-round opponents Friday night on the road.
Boston, the No. 2 seed in the East, is favored to beat the Hawks in Atlanta. And Denver, the No. 1 seed in the West, is also giving points to the Timberwolves in Minnesota. A 3–0 lead has historically been insurmountable in the NBA: Teams that take a three-game lead are 147–0 all-time.
The Hawks and T-Wolves are surely aware of that damning stat as they look to make a stand in front of their respective fans this evening.
(Boston leads series, 2-0)
Time: 7 p.m. ET | ESPN
Spread: Celtics -5.5 (-110) | Hawks +5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: BOS (-213) | ATL (+175)
Total: Under 228.5 (-110) | Over 228.5 (-110)
Celtics-Hawks Best Bet: Celtics -5.5 (-110)
Boston has won its last seven over Atlanta, four of which have been by 10 or more points. Games 1 and 2 were decided by 13 points apiece and the Celtics covered both as double-digit favorites. They’re still favored even as the series shifts to the Peach State, a position the C’s actually struggled in this season as they finished 16–18 against the spread as a road favorite.
Coach Joe Mazzulla has stuck to a tight rotation so far and Derrick White in particular has been sensational. He’s second on the team in playoff scoring (25 points per game) on 62/50/89 shooting splits. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have both been solid but neither has needed to completely take over a game just yet.
Boston’s defense has effectively neutralized Trae Young, who’s averaging 20 points on poor shooting to go with five turnovers per game. The Celtics have been a menace on defense, holding the Hawks to 40% from the field, 27% from three and swatting nearly 10 shots per game.
Defense traveled on the road in the regular season for Boston. Atlanta was better (24-17) at home than on the road (17-24), and was rarely installed as an underdog in front of its fans with a 3–4 record against the spread in that scenario. The Celtics have been in control of the series and they’re in position to take a commanding 3–0 lead ahead of a potential closeout game Sunday. The defending Eastern Conference champs won’t squander this chance.