Boston is up 2-0 as the series heads to Atlanta, and we have a Celtics vs. Hawks prediction for Game 3. 

Atlanta’s backs are against the wall, and the Hawks are playing on their home court.

Generally, I’d look to target teams like Atlanta in this spot. 

That said, I don’t see an avenue to victory for the Hawks.

Instead, I’m targeting a Celtics sweep, including a big Game 3 victory on Friday night. 

Odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, current at the time of writing and subject to change.

Spread: Celtics -5 (-110) vs. Hawks +5 (-110)

Moneyline: Celtics (-205) vs. Hawks (+170)

Total: Over 229 (-110) | Under 229 (-110)

Boston Celtics -5 (-110) | Play to -9.5 (-110)

This matchup comes down to Trae Young.

More specifically, Young’s inability to compete.

Young is the catalyst of the Hawks’ offense, but he’s way overmatched by Boston’s lengthy, aggressive defensive guards.

The Celtics are free to switch against Young or play drop coverage, and one of Marcus Smart, Derrick Walker or Malcolm Brogdon will stick to Young like glue. 

Through two games, Young has managed 40 points on 14-for-40 shooting (35%), including 3-for-13 (23%) from 3.

He was a -13 in both games and currently has the worst offensive rating among any starter in the NBA playoffs (91.3). 

The Celtics have been suffocating on defense in general, ranking first among playoff teams in defensive rating (100.5), but that comes primarily from locking down Young.

Meanwhile, coach Quin Snyder can hide Young on defense against many teams.

But the Celtics have four or five different ball handlers and initiators, and they’ve ruthlessly switched onto and attacked Young’s smaller frame. 

Every possession is a mismatch, as Young can’t guard anyone, so it wasn’t hard for the Celtics to drop over 110 points in both games.

The Celtics boasted a 64.5% effective field goal percentage in Game 2, with five players scoring in double figures — a dominant, efficient, balanced offensive attack predicated on attacking Atlanta’s biggest weakness. 

The Celtics have elite two-way talent up and down the roster, and their game has almost zero flaws.

Meanwhile, the Hawks have a glaring flaw right in the heart of their roster and it will likely end their season.

Young’s shortcomings are too easy for the Celtics to exploit and that disadvantage is too much for the Hawks to overcome. 

The Hawks are done.

I’ll be backing the Celtics against the spread here in Game 3, and then I’ll likely target them again in Game 4, searching for a merciless sweep. 

Because of the historical trends, where most bettors look to target teams in desperation situations, I think the books overrated the Hawks on open for Game 3.

So, if I’m correct, we’re buying the Celtics cheap here despite two dominant performances in Boston. 

So, I love the Celtics -5 (-110) and would play them up to -9.5 (-110).

I’d even consider targeting some alternate spreads.