10* UNDER Celtics/Hawks.

These teams have been involved in several higher-scoring games of late, but we're finally expecting more of a defensive battle here on Monday night. The Celtics enter the final stretch of the regular season on top form, having won nine in a row. This is the opener of two straight here though, and we think Boston will control the pace of this one, and not allow the Hawks to play at an "up tempo." Boston has seen the total go "over" in three straight, but that's signficiant to note as the C's have in fact seen the total dip below the posted number in eight of their last 11 after playing to three or more straight "overs" in a row. Atlanta is just 31-39, but it broke a two-game slide last time out with a convincing 132-91 win over Charlotte here. The Hawks have also seen the total soar "over" in three straight, but note that ATL has seen the total go "under" the number in three of its last four after playing to three or more straight "overs" in a row. Look for the opening game of this mini two-game series to be a defensive one; the play is the "under!"

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