NBA Playoffs Props for Tonight: Two Props to Target for Celtics vs. Hawks Game 3 (4/21)
NBA Playoffs Props for Tonight: Two Props to Target for Celtics vs. Hawks Game 3 (4/21)
Some of this year's first-round playoff series look like they could go the distance. The Knicks vs. Cavaliers series in the Eastern Conference is one of them.
However, the Celtics vs. Hawks series is not. At this point, the only question seems to be whether the Celtics will win in four or in five games. And with Game 3 tonight, I'm loving two Boston props as they try to go up 3-0.
Let's jump into today's picks!
Hawks vs. Celtics Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Friday, April 21, 2023
- Start Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch:Â ESPN
Friday, April 21 NBA Props
Boston Celtics Over 24.5 Assists (-120) (Bet $120 to Collect $220) Best odds available at DraftKings; click here to bet
The Boston Celtics have shared the ball incredibly well under rookie head coach Joe Mazzula. Their past few seasons featured an excess of isolation-heavy half-court offense and slower-paced possessions. But, Mazzula has turned this roster into a three-point happy, offensively diverse team. And this line feels short.
Boston has recorded at least 25 assists in 62 of their 84 games this season, averaging 26.7 APG. Playing away from TD Garden hasn't affected them, either, as they've reached this mark in 30 of their 41 road games.
The Atlanta Hawks and their poor defense have also allowed Boston to blow past this number all season long. The C's have at least 25 assists in all five games against the Hawks, averaging 30.0 APG in these contests. Meanwhile, Atlanta gave up 25-plus assists in 53 of 84 games this season - 26.1 APG allowed - and in 16 of 25 games since the all-star break. The Hawks gave up the eighth-most assists this season, and Boston's offense has been clicking. Look for the Celtics to keep rolling tonight.
Boston Celtics Under 21.5 Free Throws Made (-130) (Bet $130 to Collect $230) Best odds available at DraftKings; click here to bet
As great as Boston's offense has been in recent games, they don't make a ton of trips to the charity stripe. The Hawks also don't foul an excessive amount. And this is just a giant number.
The Celtics had the fourth-lowest free throw rate in the NBA this season. They converted less than 21.5 free throws in 62 of their 84 games, averaging 17.5 FTM, which was the sixth-lowest mark in the league. Dating back to last season, this under has cashed in 20 of Boston's 26 postseason games, where they've averaged 17.9 FTM.
Boston has also made just 10.6 free throws per game in five matchups with the Hawks. They've remained under in all five games, including games where they shot 15-of-18 and 8-of-10 from the line this series. Atlanta has held its opponents under this mark in 57 of 84 games this season and in 31 of 41 games at home. They allowed 18.6 free throws made per game, while the Celts converted 16.2 per game on the road this year.
This line has no business being as high as 21.5, so I'm confidently taking the under here.