Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (Hawks regional), NBC Sports Boston (Celtics regional), NBA League Pass
This Eastern Conference clash features two playoff-positioned teams with contrasting momentum. The Celtics, locked into a top-2 East seed, are road favorites despite recent injury concerns. The Hawks, surging in the play-in mix, boast one of the league’s hottest recent stretches and will lean on home energy and offensive firepower to keep their seeding hopes alive.
Team
Recent Form (Last 5-10 Games)
Celtics (7-3 in last 10; 4-1 in last 5):
Mar 27: W 109-102 vs ATL
Mar 25: W 119-109 vs OKC
Mar 22: L 92-102 vs MIN
Mar 20: W 117-112 @ MEM
Recent prior: Strong defensive showings in wins, but occasional offensive lulls without full roster.
Boston remains elite when healthy but has shown vulnerability in recent losses.
Hawks (8-2 in last 10; 4-1 in last 5):
Mar 28: W 123-113 vs SAC
Mar 27: L 102-109 @ BOS
Mar 25: W 130-129 @ DET
Mar 23: W 146-107 vs MEM
Recent prior: Explosive offense during a 13-of-14 win stretch earlier in March.
Atlanta is playing with confidence, averaging 121+ PPG lately and thriving in high-pace games.
Injury Report
Boston Celtics:
Jaylen Brown (SG) – OUT (left Achilles tendinitis)
Nikola Vucevic (C) – OUT (right ring finger fracture)
Derrick White (PG) – Questionable (right knee contusion)
Neemias Queta (C) – Probable/Available (right thumb sprain)
Jayson Tatum (PF) and core rotation expected available.
Atlanta Hawks:
Dyson Daniels (SG) – Questionable (left great toe sprain)
Onyeka Okongwu (C) – GTD (finger)
Jonathan Kuminga (PF) – GTD (knee)
Hawks otherwise mostly healthy and rolling with their current rotation.
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Boston’s absences (especially Brown) thin their wing depth and scoring punch, potentially opening opportunities for Atlanta’s attack.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
Jayson Tatum vs. Jalen Johnson (PF battle): Tatum’s all-around dominance vs. Johnson’s versatile scoring/rebounding (Johnson dropped 29 in the last meeting).
Payton Pritchard / Derrick White (if active) vs. Trae Young: Pritchard’s hot shooting (36 pts last meeting) vs. Young’s playmaking and speed.
Interior Presence: Celtics’ Queta/Tatum rebounding vs. Hawks’ Okongwu/Johnson frontcourt (Hawks strong on glass lately).
Wing Defense: Boston’s perimeter D (minus Brown) vs. Atlanta’s athletic wings (Daniels if active).
The Hawks’ spacing and pace could exploit Boston’s missing pieces, but Tatum’s superstar gravity remains the X-factor.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
2025-26: Celtics lead 2-1 (Mar 27: BOS 109-102; Jan 28: ATL 117-106; Jan 17: BOS 132-106).
The teams split earlier meetings, but Boston took the most recent clash in Boston despite injuries.
Atlanta has been competitive at home; expect a tighter contest in this finale.
Betting Trends
Key Trends:
Hawks 8-2 SU and strong ATS in last 10; totals Over in many of their recent wins.
Celtics 7-3 SU but missing key scorers; they’ve covered as slight favorites but struggled without Brown.
Home underdogs with winning streaks (Hawks) have performed well lately; Boston 3-2 ATS in last 5 road games.
Game Odds
Boston Celtics 222.5
Atlanta Hawks – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, March 29, 2026
