The Atlanta Hawks (43-39 regular season) visit Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Friday to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38 regular season). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Hawks vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hawks are coming in following a 132-102 play-in tournament victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Led by G Trae Young, who scored 24 points, the Hawks had six players score in double figures and easily covered as 5.5-point favorites.
Atlanta was 37-45 against the spread (ATS) in the regular season. It was 14-27 ATS away from home and 8-9 ATS as a road favorite.
Cleveland had a much more difficult task of going on the road and facing the Brooklyn Nets to kick off the play-in tournament. The Nets won 115-108 behind a combined 59 points from G Kyrie Irving and F Kevin Durant.
The Cavs were led by G Darius Garland, who scored 34 points. F Kevin Love chipped in 14 points and a team-high 13 rebounds. The Cavs were 42-37-3 ATS in the regular season and 9-5-1 ATS as home underdogs.
Hawks at Cavaliers odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hawks -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Cavaliers +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hawks -2.5 (-107) | Cavaliers +2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hawks at Cavaliers key injuries
Hawks
- F Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) questionable
- F John Collins (finger) out
- G Lou Williams (back) out
Cavaliers
- C Jarrett Allen (finger) questionable
- G Collin Sexton (knee) out
- F Dean Wade (knee) out
[tipico]
Hawks at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 115, Hawks 112
Money line
LEAN to the CAVALIERS (+110).
I would lock this price in now as it seems like one which suggests C Jarrett Allen is going to be out. There seems to be hope that he’ll play and that could move this line to a more typical -110 tag for the Cavaliers.
Atlanta was 16-25 on the road this season, and it’ll be down its second-best scoring option with Collins sidelined. Cleveland is 25-16 at home.
The Cavaliers’ main weakness is in their turnover issue. However, Atlanta isn’t likely to be able to abuse that as it ranks 28th in opponents’ turnover rate. It also isn’t dominant on the offensive glass, another weakness for Cleveland.
Considering the plus-money value, I’d take Cleveland here.
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Against the spread
BET on the CAVALIERS +2.5 (-115).
For all the reasons above, the Cavs feel like the better play here. With a couple of points on the spread, this is the preferred way to play this battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
According to pregame.com at the time of writing 80% of the money is on the Hawks with 69% of the tickets. The market has responded by increasing the spread to 2.5 from the opener of 1.5.
The pro-Atlanta money may continue to roll in until Allen’s status is announced. Even if Allen doesn’t play, I’d be comfortable backing the +2.5 for the Cavaliers.
Cleveland is 22-17-2 ATS at home this season.
Over/Under
PASS with a slight lean to the Over 222.5 (-110).
The Hawks are ranked eighth in pace and seventh in offensive rating over their last 15 games. Atlanta should be able to score easily if Allen is out.
Three of the four times these two teams have met the final total has gone over 235. This feels relatively low, and if you want to back Atlanta, hitting the Over makes sense.
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