Hawks vs. Celtics prediction and odds for Game 5 (Boston closes out series)

The Boston Celtics are one win away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs after staving off a comeback attempt by the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4.

With the series shifting back to Boston, the Celtics are favored by 12 points in this game, and it could climb to even more if Dejounte Murray is suspended for his actions towards a referee after Game 4.

The NBA reportedly is investigating Murray, which could be a huge loss for an already underdog Hawks team.

Boston struggled on defense in Game 3, but it has otherwise dominated this series. The Celtics are title favorites, so it’s inevitable that they’re going to get past an Atlanta team that has underachieved all season long.

Will it happen in Game 5?

Hawks vs. Celtics odds, spread and total

Hawks vs. Celtics prediction and pick

I expect the Celtics to roll in this game after they won both of the previous matchups at TD Garden by double digits.

Murray’s status may make it easier for bettors to stomach laying the 12 points, but it’s worth noting that Boston had a double-digit lead in Game 3 as well before a couple of garbage time buckets by Atlanta.

As I’ve said all series long, there’s a reason that Atlanta ranked in the bottom half of the NBA in net rating this season. The team does not defend at a high level, and it doesn’t have the answers for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on offense since the team lacks proven wing production on a consistent basis.

Atlanta was just 15-14-1 against the spread as a road dog this season, while Boston went 24-17 ATS as a home favorite, winning those games by an average margin of 10.1 points per game.

With Philly already locked into a second round matchup, the Celtics don’t want to mess around and extend this series further than it needs to go. I’ll lay the points with the defending Eastern Conference champs on Tuesday.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.