Celtics vs. Hawks line, picks: Advanced computer NBA model releases selections for Game 3 playoff matchup

The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks meet for Game 3 of a playoff matchup at State Farm Arena at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. Boston is favored by 5.5 points at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 229 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our NBA odds page). 

Before making any Celtics vs. Hawks picks, you NEED to check out the NBA predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2023 NBA playoffs a stunning 71-37 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $3,000. Anyone following it has seen HUGE returns!

The model knows the Celtics are holding the Hawks to only 100.5 points per 100 possessions in the series. Boston is holding Atlanta to 40.7% shooting, including 27.3% from 3-point range, and the Celtics are allowing only 15.0 free throw attempts and 22 assists per game. The Celtics also led the NBA with a 74.6% defensive rebound rate during the regular season. 

The model also knows the Hawks are led by dynamic guards in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Young led the NBA in total assists this season, and Murray provides scoring punch, including 29 points in Game 2. Atlanta also scored more than 1.15 points per possession in the regular season, including 1.20 points per possession after the All-Star break.

Now, it has set its sights on Celtics vs. Hawks. We can tell you the model is leaning Under on the point total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any NBA picks.

Who wins Celtics vs. Hawks? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Celtics vs. Hawks spread you should be all over Friday, all from the model on a roll on NBA picks!