Atlanta at Boston

Boston left no doubt about its intention to get back to the NBA Finals and it led by as many as 32 points while defeating the Hawks 112-99 in the series opener on Saturday. Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 12 rebounds and Jayson Tatum added 25 points while Derrick White contributed 25 points and 11 rebounds in a dominating performance. Obviously, the game wasn't as close as the score indicated, but the Celtics covered for the fifth game in a row and the Hawks are just 3-7 ATS their past 10 games. Boston has won and covered the past six meetings and it hasn't lost to the Hawks since Jan. 28, 2002. Atlanta is 0-7 ATS its past seven games versus .600 teams and 2-8 ATS overall playing with two days rest. Atlanta is 0-5 ATS the past five meetings at Boston and the Celtics are 20-8-1 ATS in conference quarterfinal games. Atlanta shot just 38.8 percent on Saturday and went 5-for-29 from 3-point range. Take the Celtics as my Round 1 Game of the Year.