Boston at Atlanta

The Boston Celtics are running out of time to win another championship with their aging stars. They lost an ugly Game 1 to the Hawks, but face an even more difficult challenge in Game 2. Rajon Rondo picked-up a technical foul late in Game 1, and complicated matters by bumping the official, leading to a one-game suspension, so he won't play tonight. Boston was never really in Game 1 as they never led, and at one point found themselves down by 19 points. They were punished on the glass 50-41, and despite committing only six turnovers, which generated seven extra possessions as the Hawks turned the ball over 13 times, they were not up to task. While the game was ugly, it certainly was not a slow-down game, as both teams combined to take a total of 158 shots. The problem was that they combined to shoot just under 40% for the game, and 22.7% from beyond the arc. These teams combined to hit 46% during the regular season, which on 158 shots is worth 73 made hoops. Both teams finished the season in the Top 7 in three-point-shooting percentage, which on 31 attempts is similar to Game 1 and should have accounted for 11 made instead of 7, which is 12 additional points. The bottom line is that an average game should yield considerably more than the low total posted here, which is even lower than Game 1, and is an improper adjustment. Boston is 0-5 ATS in their last five playoffs games as an underdog, while the Hawks are clicking at an 8-1 ATS mark in their last nine playoffs quarterfinals games. Atlanta is 10-1 to the OVER in their last 11 as a favorite, and 14-2 to the OVER on a day of rest. Play Atlanta and the OVER in this one.