The Atlanta Hawks (9-9) visit the Washington Wizards (3-11) Friday for a 7 p.m. ET game at Capital One Arena. Below, we analyze the Hawks-Wizards NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Atlanta dropped its previous game against the Brooklyn Nets in a 132-128 shootout Tuesday but covered the spread as a 6-point home underdog. The Hawks are 4-2 straight up and 5-1 against the spread in their last six games.
Following a 13-day layoff due to COVID-19 issues, the Wizards have lost three straight road games by an average score of 117.3-98.3. They’re shooting 40.7% from the field and 30.2% from three over that span.
The Wizards won and covered in two of three meetings with the Hawks last season. The Hawks covered as single-point favorites in a 152-133 win in Jan. 2020.
Hawks at Wizards: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Hawks -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Wizards +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hawks -3.5 (-110) | Wizards +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 234.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hawks at Wizards: Key injuries
Hawks
- SF Cam Reddish (quadriceps) probable
- C Clint Capela (hand) probable
- PG Rajon Rondo (ankle) questionable
- SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) out
Wizards
- SF Deni Avdija (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Troy Brown Jr. (health and safety protocols) out
- PG Ish Smith (health and safety protocols) out
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Hawks at Wizards: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Wizards 121, Hawks 115
Money line (ML)
Washington has several contributors returning from COVID-19-related absences and PG Russell Westbrook is active despite battling a quadriceps injury. There could be a ramp-up period for these returning players but the Wizards offense should be able to match up well against the Hawks. Atlanta is giving up the most points in the paint over its last six games. You know SG Bradley Beal and Westbrook want to attack the rim.
Speaking of which, Beal has recorded at least 24 points in each of his past seven games against the Hawks. While Hawks All-Star PG Trae Young has struggled in his six career games vs. the Wizards with only 18.7 points per game on 37.1% shooting. He has a 102 offensive rating against the Wizards vs. a 111 career offensive rating.
Finally, this is a Pros vs. Joes situation as more cash is on the Wizards to win outright while more bets have been placed on the Hawks, according to pregame.com. Since the money column is typically the sharp side of the market, let’s follow the money and BET WIZARDS (+135) for a quarter-unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
Simply put, if you’re going to bet a 3-11 team to win outright you should almost always take the points, too. Like the money line market, the pros are backing Washington plus points. TAKE WIZARDS +3.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
Atlanta has the highest free-throw rate on the season and this is a weak spot for the Wizards whose defense has the second-worst free-throw per field-goal attempt rate. Washington also excels at getting to the charity stripe and is fifth in free-throw rate.
I’m on the OVER 234.5 (-110) but only for a smaller wager because I prefer sides more than totals.
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Also see:
- 2021 NBA Mock Draft consensus 1.0: The complete first round (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Hawks | Wizards
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