The Denver Nuggets (14-14) visit the Atlanta Hawks (14-14) Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Nuggets vs. Hawks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
While the Nuggets are just 5-5 straight-up and 5-5 against the spread over their last 10 games, the Over has gone 9-1. For the season, the Nuggets are one of the worst covering teams at 12-16.
Atlanta is right there with them at 12-16, both having entered this season with higher expectations than a .500 team. The Hawks rank fourth in points per game (111.4 PPG). Both teams are at or above .500 on the Over.
Nuggets at Hawks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:12 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Nuggets +145 (bet $100 to win $155) | Hawks -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +4.5 (-115) | Hawks -4.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Nuggets at Hawks key injuries
Nuggets
- PF JaMychal Green (ankle) out
- PG Markus Howard (knee) out
- SF Michael Porter Jr. (back) out
Hawks
- SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) out
- SF De’Andre Hunter (wrist) out
Nuggets at Hawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hawks 115, Nuggets 109
Money line
PASS.
These teams are relatively even matched, and I’m not a big fan of -180 for Atlanta here. The Nuggets are just 6-9 on the road, so they haven’t been great outside of the Mile High city. I’d look to the spread for value.
Against the spread
“LEAN” HAWKS -4.5 (-107) as the better side of the spread.
Atlanta is 8-6 at home and 6-8 on the road. Similarly, the Nuggets are better at home and worse on the road. Also, the Nuggets are down two of their best players in Bogdanovic and Hunter.
The Nuggets allow opponents to shoot 47% from the field, one of the worst rates in the league. The Hawks, on the other hand, rank 9th in field-goal percentage and have the second-fewest turnovers per game.
They’re a well-coached team that executes at a high rate offensively. I’d back them to get the win at home and cover the spread against a Nuggets team far too reliant on MVP C Nikola Jokic.
Over/Under
BET OVER 222.5 (-110) as both teams have absolutely dynamic offenses.
The Hawks are averaging over 111 points per game. That type of scoring is hard to find, and the Hawks have it in All-Star PG Trae Young. However, they’re also inferior defensively, ranking 20th in opponents’ shooting.
The Nuggets rank in the bottom half of the league in opponents’ 3-point shooting rate. The Hawks should be able to pour it in from deep, which is their strength.
Considering Denver has topped 110 in 4 of its last 5, I’d bank on more points in this one.
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