Basketball fans are in for an exciting matchup on January 18, 2025, as the Atlanta Hawks travel to face the formidable Boston Celtics at TD Garden. With playoff aspirations on the line, both teams are eager to secure a crucial victory that could shape their standings in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks, currently sitting at 21-19 and battling for a playoff spot, are coming off a hard-fought win against the Chicago Bulls. However, they face challenges with key players like Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter listed as questionable for this game. Their ability to perform at full strength will be critical against a Celtics team that boasts a stellar record of 29-12 and is currently positioned second in the East.
On the other side of the court, the Celtics are riding high after a convincing victory over the Orlando Magic and will look to leverage their home-court advantage. Despite missing Drew Peterson due to injury, Boston’s depth and talent make them a formidable opponent.
With the Celtics favored by 10.5 points and a total set at 235, this game promises to deliver high-stakes action and thrilling basketball. Will the Hawks rise to the occasion and pull off an upset, or will the Celtics continue their march toward playoff supremacy? Buckle up for what promises to be an electrifying showdown!
Current Game Analysis
Team Standings
- Atlanta Hawks: 21-19 (7th in East)
- Boston Celtics: 29-12 (2nd in East)
Injuries
- Hawks: Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson (Questionable); Kobe Bufkin, Zaccharie Risacher, Cody Zeller, Larry Nance Jr. (Out)
- Celtics: Drew Peterson (Out)
Recent Performance
- Hawks won against the Chicago Bulls.
- Celtics won against the Orlando Magic.
Statistical Predictions
Pythagorean Expectation
The Pythagorean expectation formula is used to estimate a team’s expected winning percentage based on points scored and allowed:
Assuming average points scored:
- Hawks: 112 points
- Celtics: 115 points
Calculating expected winning percentages:
- Hawks’ Pythagorean expectation: 112²÷112²+115²≈0.487
- Celtics’ Pythagorean expectation: 115²÷112²+115²≈0.513
Strength of Schedule
The Celtics have faced tougher opponents compared to the Hawks, which could influence their performance positively.
Average Score Prediction from Models
Assuming the average predictions from the models yield:
- Hawks: 110 points
- Celtics: 120 points
Final Prediction Calculation
Taking into account the average predictions from the models along with the Pythagorean expectation:
- Average predicted score:
- Hawks: 110+(112×0.487)÷2=111.4
- Celtics: 120+(115×0.513)÷2=118.6
Spread Analysis
With the spread set at -10.5 for the Celtics:
- Predicted margin: 118.6−111.4=7.2
Given that the spread favors the Celtics significantly but our adjusted prediction suggests they may not cover it, betting on the Hawks to cover could be wise.
Conclusion
Considering all factors—AI model predictions, team injuries, recent performances, and statistical analyses—the best pick for this game would be:
- Pick: Take the Atlanta Hawks +10.5 points ***WINNER***
