Guide, odds, predictions and more

The 9-2 Boston Celtics make their debut in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday. The defending champions will play their first duel in the league's second annual regular-season tournament against the weak Atlanta Hawks (4-7).

Read more: The status of two key starters for the NBA Cup matchup with the Hawks is announced

Four-time All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, who was questionable due to a left ankle sprain, and current starting center Al Horford (Kristaps Porzingis, of course, remains out as he rehabs from left posterior tibialis tendon surgery), whose fate was unclear due to a sprained left big toe, both have received the green light to participate in Boston. Two-way players JD Davison and Anton Watson are with the club's NBAGL affiliate in Maine. Third-year shooting guard Jaden Springer is out as he continues to suffer from tendinopathy in his left knee.

On the Hawks' side, Atlanta All-Star point guard Trae Young is the only loss. The Hawks' leading scorer will be sidelined with right Achilles tendonitis. The other two major absences are substitute Bogdan Bogdanovic (right hamstring tendinopathy) and substitute striker De'Andre Hunter (personal reasons). Shooting guard Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder sublaxation), point guard Vit Krejci (right adductor muscle strain) and center Cody Zeller are also on hold, as is two-way player Seth Lundy.

The action begins at 7:00 p.m. ET at TD Garden and can be watched locally via NBC Sports Boston (and on NBA League Pass outside of Beantown).

Thanks to their relative health and some key injuries to the Hawks, the Celtics are 15-point favorites to win, according to The Action Network.

The Hawks didn't exactly set the world on fire. After trading away former All-Star combo guard Dejounte Murray this offseason in exchange for more depth, the team has instead struggled to find an identity outside of the heliocentric offense surrounding Young. With Young out, it looks like big junior prospect Jalen Johnson will be taking on more of the team's scoring load while Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder looks to take a more egalitarian approach.

But they will face a Boston Celtics club that is largely healthy, at home and out for blood against one of the East's more mediocre teams. Look for the Celtics to blow up the projected spread.

The Celtics and Hawks are both in Group C, along with the undefeated (12-0) Cleveland Cavaliers, the lively Chicago Bulls and the strong Washington Wizards. Amazingly, FanDuel projects the Celtics to have the best chance of winning all of the ball (+400 odds), just ahead of the New York Knicks at under .500 (+950 odds). In a group that includes the Cavaliers, Boston will have some work to do.

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