The Atlanta Hawks got some bad news on Monday with their season hanging in the balance. Star guard Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Game 5 after making physical contact with an official. The betting markets were quick to react, and things aren’t looking good for the Hawks after the Dejounte Murray suspension.
The Hawks and Celtics will tip off from TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Those looking for an edge should heed this advice or check out OddsShopper’s tools for sharp NBA bets. A full subscription to OddsShopper Premium will help you find +ROI bets and become a profitable sports bettor!
Dejounte Murray Suspension – NBA Betting Impact
The NBA announced that Dejounte Murray had been suspended for Game 5 late on Tuesday afternoon. The development will leave the Atlanta Hawks shorthanded in the backcourt for a must-win road game.
Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Game 5 vs. Celtics after making contact with a game official on Sunday night.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2023
Murray was a pivotal part of Atlanta’s relative improvement this year. Unlike Trae Young, he had the frame necessary to defend larger guards. Although he didn’t provide the same offensive burst as Young, Murray still ranked second on the team in points per game and provided the Hawks with the flexibility to leave him on the floor when Young sat.
Following the Dejounte Murray suspension, the Hawks will likely turn to a more wing-heavy lineup. Bogdan Bogdanovic could end up starting alongside De’Andre Hunter and John Collins. That will force Young to do almost all of the ball handling. Reserve guard Aaron Holiday could see some minutes in relief of Young as well, but the Hawks haven’t given him any playoff minutes for a reason.
Hawks-Celtics NBA Betting Predictions
The Boston Celtics are projected to smoke the Atlanta Hawks at home on Tuesday evening. After a brief market closure, the Hawks re-opened as a 13-point underdog at public books like DraftKings. Pinnacle, a sharp book, re-opened Atlanta as a 12-point underdog before shifting to 13. The Hawks will almost certainly close at a double-digit disadvantage.
The Hawks played only eight games without Dejounte Murray this year, and they went 3-5 in that sample. Their wins came against the Chicago Bulls, the Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons — not exactly the toughest competition. Atlanta is more than likely cooked without Murray, and the spread accurately reflects this reality.
Bettors eager to get action on Tuesday’s Hawks-Celtics game should plan to target Trae Young on the player prop market. The talented point guard will have to carry Atlanta’s offense, and backing him to exceed the number posted at DraftKings Sportsbook for his turnovers could prove exploitable. Bettors yet to register at DraftKings can earn $150 in bonus bets with a winning $5 moneyline wager. Bettors in Ohio can score the same deal but via this link instead!
