Hawks vs. Celtics NBA Summer League Prediction: Odds, Picks and Best Bet

The Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics meet for the second time in as many summers on Monday, July 13, tipping off at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT) at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas as part of the 2026 NBA Summer League. It’s worth remembering exactly what this is: neither roster resembles the group that will suit up in TD Garden or State Farm Arena come October. These are rookies fresh off draft night, second-year players auditioning for a bigger role, and two-way and G League hopefuls trying to make an impression before final roster cuts. Both teams have looked sharp through their first two games in Vegas, and that sets up a genuinely competitive matchup broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime and NBC Sports Boston.

Two Unbeaten Teams Set for a Vegas Showdown

Both clubs enter Monday’s game 2-0. Atlanta opened its slate with a 93-66 rout of the San Antonio Spurs on July 9 at Thomas & Mack Center, then followed with a tighter 83-76 win over the Brooklyn Nets on July 11. Boston, meanwhile, needed overtime to get past the Toronto Raptors 83-80 in its Summer League opener on July 10, before cruising to an 87-75 win over the Charlotte Hornets on July 12 at Cox Pavilion — the same building hosting Monday’s rematch. With betting markets still thin on Summer League action this deep into the exhibition slate — several major sportsbooks and prediction markets list the contest with limited or no posted lines — the smart read here leans on form and roster continuity rather than published numbers. Atlanta’s average scoring margin through two games and Boston’s habit of grinding out close finishes both point to a tightly contested night, and bettors should expect any line that does surface to sit close to even, likely within a possession or two either way.

Rookies and Rising Sophomores Headline Both Sides

Atlanta’s Summer League group is led by No. 8 overall pick Kingston Flemings, who has already flashed his playmaking with a game-high eight assists in the win over San Antonio. Second-year forward Asa Newell, last year’s No. 23 pick, has been the Hawks’ most consistent scorer, dropping a team-high 15 points in the opener. Second-round rookie Zuby Ejiofor has chipped in double-digit scoring with rebounds and assists to match, and forward Henri Veesaar — a 6-foot-11 big man out of North Carolina selected No. 52 in this year’s draft — has been one of the more productive players off Atlanta’s bench, posting 14 points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes against the Spurs. Guard Isaac McKneely has also reached double figures. Assistant coach Sanjay Lumpkin is running the show for Atlanta in Vegas.

Boston’s group is anchored by two rising names. Second-year center Amari Williams, who started two games for the Celtics as a rookie, has been dominant on the glass, posting 23 points and 13 rebounds in the overtime win over Toronto. Guard Hugo Gonzalez, Boston’s first-round pick from a year ago who appeared in 74 games during his rookie season, nearly recorded a triple-double in that same game and remains the most NBA-ready player on the Celtics’ Summer League roster. First-round rookie big man Chris Cenac Jr. and second-round forward Dillon Mitchell round out Boston’s headline additions, with Mitchell delivering the standout performance of Boston’s week so far — a game-high 24 points, eight rebounds and six steals in the win over Charlotte. Assistant coach Amile Jefferson has head coaching duties for the Celtics this summer.

Because Summer League markets remain limited compared to the regular season, bettors interested in action on this one should check their preferred sportsbook close to tip for updated numbers rather than relying on early lines. For those looking to build out a broader summer betting strategy beyond individual game lines, it’s worth comparing offers across books — a DraftKings promo code or FanDuel promo code can add value on NBA Summer League markets when they are posted, while bettors who prefer daily fantasy formats might also look at Underdog Fantasy options built around individual player props from the Vegas slate. Sweepstakes casino players killing time between tip-offs can also check out offers like the McLuck promo code for casual play away from the sportsbook.

Tue, Oct 20 • 3:00 PM	Spread	Money	Total
Boston Celtics	+1.5 (-112)	+105	O 222.5 (-110)
Detroit Pistons	-1.5 (-115)	-120	U 221.5 (-110)

Prediction and Best Bet

Both teams have shown they can win in multiple ways — Atlanta with balanced scoring and depth, Boston with star-level individual performances from Williams and Mitchell. Atlanta’s blowout win over San Antonio suggests a deeper overall roster capable of wearing teams down across four quarters, but Boston has proven it can win ugly, grinding out an overtime thriller against Toronto before dominating Charlotte. Given Boston’s recent form at Cox Pavilion — where Monday’s game will also be played — and the two-way scoring punch of Williams and Mitchell, expect a close, competitive game that could again go down to the wire.

• Prediction: Atlanta Hawks 80, Boston Celtics 84
• Best Bet: Celtics on the moneyline

With both rosters trending upward through two games apiece, this projects as the closest test either team has faced so far in Las Vegas, and Boston’s home-building comfort at Cox Pavilion gives the Celtics a slight edge in a game that should come down to the final possessions.