NBA Betting: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks Odds & Pick: November 13th 2009

Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks
Free NBA Pick: Boston Celtics -8.5 (-110 odds)
Fri November 13th 2009 8:05p
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The Atlanta Hawks may be averaging a whopping 107.8 points per game, but as the old axiom goes, “Good defense stops good offense”, and we look for the stifling Boston Celtics defense to put the clamps on the high-flying Hawks here en route to a double-digit win.

The Celtics now closely resemble the team that won the NBA Championship just two short years ago, as having Kevin Garnett back and healthy again makes Boston the strongest defensive team in the NBA.

As a result, the Celtics lead the league in defense over the early going, allowing a microscopic 84.6 points per game. They rank second in steals at 9.57 per game and fifth in defensive field goal percentage at 42.6 percent. Thus, their 8-1 record should come as no surprise as only the Phoenix Suns have scored more than 90 points against them in their nine games.

Yes, the Atlanta offense is hitting on a remarkable 48.3 percent of its shots, and the Hawks have topped the 100-point mark in six of their eight games. However, five of those six games came vs. teams that play very little defense (Knicks, Kings, Wizards, Pacers, Nuggets) and the sixth came vs. a Lakers team that is improved defensively but still plays at a fast pace.

On the two occasions where Atlanta has played teams that actually defend reasonably well, they managed just 83 points vs. Charlotte and 97 points vs. Portland. The Hawks are now facing the stiffest defense they will see al year, and doing so on the road in Boston will only make their task that much tougher.

We look for the Boston defense to rise to the occasion and secure a safe win on front of their home fans and an ESPN TV audience.

NBA Free Pick: Celtics -8.5 (-110)