The Celtics and the Hawks are no strangers.
The Trae Young-less Hawks host the Celtics, Boston’s first meeting since Young was dealt to the Washington Wizards.
CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert joined the Hawks in the deal. The trade was the end of an era in Atlanta.
The Celtics enter Atlanta following a [119-114 victory over the Heat](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/15/sports/celtics-119-heat-114-nba-basketball/), in which Anfernee Simons exploded for 39 points. Simons was aggressive off the bench and caught fire.
“Just a complete game,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Credit to him and credit to his teammates for creating that environment for him to be able to do it. But he obviously kept us in it in the first half and helped us pull away at the end.”
Can Simons continue his form?
Here’s the preview:
**When:** Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
**Where:** State Farm Arena, Atlanta
**TV, radio:** NBCSB, WROR-FM 105.7
**Line:** Boston -3.5. **O/U:** 229.5.
**CELTICS**
**Season record:** 25-15. **vs. spread:** 22-18. **Over/under:** 17-23
**Last 10 games:** 6-4. **vs. spread:** 5-5. **Over/under:** 3-7
**HAWKS**
**Season record:** 20-23. **vs. spread:** 21-22. **Over/under:** 22-21
**Last 10 games:** 5-5. **vs. spread:** 6-4. **Over/under:** 3-7
**TEAM STATISTICS**
**Points per game:** Boston 116.7, Atlanta 117.9
**Points allowed per game:** Boston 110.2, Atlanta 118.9
**Field goal percentage:** Boston .472, Atlanta .478
**Opponent field goal percentage:** Boston .450, Atlanta .477
**3-point percentage:** Boston .368, Atlanta .370
**Opponent 3-point percentage:** Boston .369, Atlanta .354
**Stat of the day:** The Celtics and the Pistons possess the best point differential in the Eastern Conference, at +6.5.
**Notes:** The Hawks are 10-15 against conference opponents. Atlanta is 10-17 against opponents with a winning record. ... Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.9 points, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals over the last 10 games. ... Boston is the leader in the Eastern Conference allowing just 110.2 points per game while holding opponents to 45.0% shooting. Former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis is listed as day-to-day with an Achilles injury. Zaccharie Risacher is also day-to-day, albeit with a knee injury.
Cam Kerry can be reached at [cam.kerry@globe.com](mailto:cam.kerry@globe.com).