In a suprise match-up, the Boston Celtics are set to be pitted against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Atlanta wasn't supposed to be the eighth seed, but they pulled off a stunner against the Miami Heat in the Play-In to punch their postseason ticket. Now, we continue our playoffs series and make our Celtics vs. Hawks prediction and pick.
2023 NBA Playoffs: Celtics vs. Hawks Series Schedule
Game 1: Hawks @ Celtics - April 15
Game 2: Hawks @ Celtics - April 18
Game 3: Celtics @ Hawks - April 21
Game 4: Celtics @ Hawks - April 23
Game 5: Hawks @ Celtics - April 25 (If Necessary)
Game 6: Celtics @ Hawks - April 27 (If Necessary)
Game 7: Hawks @ Celtics - April 29 (If Necessary)
Read More: 2023 NBA Playoffs: Sixers vs. Nets Prediction
Why Celtics Could Win Playoff Series vs. Hawks
The Celtics are considered one of the favorites to come out of the East to compete for the title, so very few--probably only Hawks fans--are doubting them in this first-round clash.
Boston is no. 2 on both offensive and defensive rating in the NBA, so one could say that they are the complete package. They have two great superstars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who can cover for each other when the other is not playing well, and they have a deep roster with players who can contribute when called upon.
Malcolm Brogdon is a frontrunner to win Sixth Man of the Year, and the Celtics still have the likes of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Al Horford and Robert Williams III.
Sure the Celtics can be inconsistent at times, with their losses against weaker teams during the regular season becoming a source of frustration for fans. There was also a stretch during the closing stages of the campaign when they went on a slump. However, they seem to have already resolved that problem.
Not to mention that they swept the season series againt the Hawks, going 3-0 on the season with an average winning margin of 13.3 points.
Why Hawks Could Win Playoff Series vs. Celtics
Atlanta is one of the better teams offensively in the NBA, so they could pose some threat to Boston. The team ranks seventh on offensive rating, though they are 22nd on defense.
When Trae Young and the Hawks' shooting clicks, they could certainly steal a game from their higher seeded opponent. Also, after what they showed against the Heat--during which a lot of people thought Miami was going to come out on top--it's hard to question their heart and motivation.
For the Hawks to be able to win, though, they will really need Young and his backcourt partner Dejounte Murray to be perfect all the time. After all, they cannot expect the Celtics to play bad just for them to win.
Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction and Pick
The Hawks could probably steal a game or two, but in the end, the Celtics are just too much for them.
It might be difficult for Atlanta to get hot offensively considering Boston's defense, and the problem for the Hawks is they don't have the tools to be able to make crucial stops against the Celtics as well.
With that said, expect this game to end in four or five games.
Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Celtics in five!
Related Article: 2023 NBA Playoffs: Cavs vs. Knicks Prediction
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