The Atlanta Hawks (3-1) try to bounce back from a loss to the Brooklyn Nets (3-2) in the second of a back-to-back between the two teams on New Year’s Day. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Barclays Center.
The Nets outlasted the Hawks 145-141 as 5.5-point home favorites in what was the most high-octane matchup of the NBA season. Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant was spectacular as he poured in a season-high 33 points on 11-for-22 shooting with 11 rebounds and 8 assists. But a couple of the Hawks’ building blocks came to play as fourth-year PF John Collins and third-year All-Star PG Trae Young both scored 30 points in Atlanta’s loss.
Atlanta has scored 141 points in each of their previous two meetings with Brooklyn dating back to last season—both with Young in the lineup—but only scored 86 points in the first game vs. the Nets last year, which Young missed with an injury.
Below, we analyze the Hawks-Nets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Hawks at Nets: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Hawks +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Nets -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hawks +6.5 (-110) | Nets -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 244.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Hawks at Nets: Key Injuries
Hawks
- PG Trae Young (calf) questionable
- SF De’Andre Hunter (knee) questionable
- F Danilo Gallinari (ankle) out
- C Onyeka Okongwu (toe) out
- PG Rajon Rondo (knee) out
Nets
- PG Spencer Dinwiddie (knee) out
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Hawks at Nets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Nets 127, Hawks 113
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE because I like the favorite but have a personal rule of not betting an NBA team in the regular season favored -150 or greater.
Against the spread (ATS)
Brooklyn’s early season troubles with controlling the glass showed itself last game when they were out-rebounded 64-45 by Atlanta. But if the Hawks don’t maintain that same tenacity on the glass, then I don’t see how they can beat the Nets Friday.
Atlanta is 27th in defensive rating, and Brooklyn is the only playoff team last year they’ve faced thus far. Plus while Hawks-Nets come into Friday’s game as first and second in points per game in the NBA, Brooklyn has a higher net in effective field-goal percentage.
BET NETS -6.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
It’s easy to assume we’ll get a similar Hawks-Nets game like the one we saw Wednesday, but these teams are only a combined 3-6 O/U so far this season and it’s not like their offensive firepower is a surprise. Bookmakers have already moved this total down from a 247-point consensus opener to its current number.
From a basketball POV, I like the Nets to slow down the pace of this game and try to run some more half-court offense as a pose to getting into an up-and-down shootout with a young upstart like the Hawks. Officially, I lean UNDER 244.5 (-105) for a half-unit.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
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Hoops Hype:
- Nets vs. Hawks: 3 things we learned from Brooklyn’s high-scoring win (Nets Wire)
- Rumors: Hawks | Nets
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