Atlanta at Boston

The Boston Celtics came within one point of closing out this series in five games, but the Hawks prevailed at home to live for a Game 6 at the Garden. These teams have played slow, and ugly in this entire series. The defenses have ruled the first five games. With Boston at home, where they are always tough on the defensive end, and with Atlanta once again facing elimination, I expect the intensity level to go up a notch in Game 6. Atlanta has managed just 82.6 points per game including overtime points, so they will likely struggle to find 80 points here in Boston. The Celtics have topped the 80-point mark just one time in the five games without overtime, so this one looks like 160s or less. The Hawks are now 8-2 to the UNDER in their last 10 quarterfinals playoffs games, and Boston is on equal ground at 8-2 to the UNDER as a playoffs favorite in their last 10. Play this one UNDER the total.