Tag: trae young

Austin Reaves named Big 12 Player of the Week

Calling game and dropping 41? Yeah, that will earn you Big 12 Player of the Week.

Calling game and dropping 41? Yeah, that will earn you Big 12 Player of the Week.

Reaves averaged 27.0 points on 51.6%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals in Oklahoma’s games against Texas and TCU.

Reaves willed the Sooners to victory on Saturday scoring 41 points and bringing Oklahoma back from an 18-point halftime deficit, the largest halftime deficit to result in a road win in Big 12 history.

The honor comes less than 24 hours after Reaves was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and was named an All-12 Honorable Mention.

On the season, Reaves is sixth in Big 12 scoring averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

Reaves’ performance on Saturday was the sixth 40-point output by a Sooner in the Lon Kruger era. Trae Young had four such performances in 2018 and Buddy Hield had a 44-point outburst in 2016.

With the win on Saturday, Oklahoma finishes third in the Big 12 regular season, giving them the No. 3-seed in the Big 12 Tournament. The Sooners face 6-seeded West Virginia at 8 p.m. CT on Thursday on either ESPN or ESPN2.

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Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Atlanta Hawks (19-44) visit the nation’s capital Friday to play the Washington Wizards (22-39) at the Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Hawks-Wizards odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Hawks at Wizards: Key injuries

Hawks

  • PG Trae Young (illness) questionable
  • C Dewayne Dedmon (elbow) probable
  • PF Bruno Fernando (shin) probable
  • C Clint Capela (heel) out
  • SF Cam Reddish (back) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out
  • SG DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal) out

Wizards

  • PG Ish Smith (hamstring) out
  • PG John Wall (Achilles’) out

Hawks at Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Wizards 128, Hawks 104

Moneyline (ML)

Trae Young (illness) hitting the injury report is concerning for anyone looking to back Atlanta (+145) since they are 2-4 straight up in games without Young. The Hawks won the last meeting against the Wizards (-176), 152-133 Jan 26, but that was keyed by Young’s 45 points and 14 assists. The season series is split 1-1, and these two teams have alternated wins and covers in each of their last 10 meetings.

The Hawks are an abysmal 14-29 with a minus-7 average margin of victory, and the Wizards are a decent 18-20. I have more faith in Washington’s ability to bounce back than an Atlanta team that has the worst road record in the NBA (6-25) and is only 2-9 in Friday games. But, we are going to PASS ON THE STEEP MONEYLINE in favor of a line wager.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Washington enters today’s game with at least a fighting chance at earning a playoff berth while the Hawks are the second-worst team in the East. The Hawks were routed in its last game, 127-88, by the Memphis Grizzlies Monday as was Washington by the Portland Trail Blazers, 125-104, Wednesday. Many of the Hawks cited effort as the reason for the beating, and it should certainly be a question mark with nothing to play for a banged-up roster.

The Wizards -3.5 (-110) are 16-13 ATS at home and 8-10 ATS at home versus losing teams. Atlanta is a poor 10-18 ATS on the road and 4-11 ATS on the road versus losing teams. Definitely monitor the injury report up until game time, but based on the current info, WIZARDS -3.5 (-110) is the sharp play. 

Over/Under (O/U)

It’s rare to see a total as high as 245.5, but the last Hawks-Wizards meeting was one of the highest-scoring games in the NBA this season. Both have a propensity to play in shootouts:  Atlanta and Washington have the fourth- and fifth-highest Over percentage in the NBA. But a Young-less Hawks team is a lot less offensively productive. Atlanta has gone Under the projected total in each of the six games Young has missed. 

BET UNDER 245.5 (-115).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ja Morant, Trae Young swap jerseys after first career matchup

The Grizzlies outscored the Hawks 75-39 in the second half to walk away with the victory on Monday night.

Two of the most exciting young players in the NBA met on the hardwood for the first time as rookie Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies faced off against All-Star Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks.

The Grizzlies walked away with the 127-88 victory as Morant tallied 13 points, five assists and four rebounds while Young had 19 points and two assists for the Hawks.

Despite the final score, the game was relatively competitive in the first half as the Grizzlies led the Hawks 52-49 at the intermission. From there, the Grizzlies outscored the Hawks 75-39 in the second half to win.

Afterward, the two players met up to swap jerseys.

Trae Young should never, ever stop nutmegging defenders

No matter what Trevor Ariza says.

Trevor Ariza tried to dethrone Trae Young, the king of the NBA nutmeg, by throwing a shoulder check at the Atlanta Hawks stud after the guard went through the legs of the Portland Trail Blazers vet.

But it’s not going to work, and for that, I’m extremely glad.

Young doesn’t use the nutmeg to show anyone up. Rather, it’s a weapon in his prodigious offensive arsenal. If he catches a defender with his legs open, he’s going to get by with a dribble through the wickets. If NBA defenders start thinking about closing up their legs when they see the All-Star coming, Young will catch them flat-footed and blow by them.

Young ignored Ariza’s flagrant foul and subsequent comments (“I told him, ‘Don’t do that (expletive) again; not to me at least.'”), which means we’re in for more nutmegs, and thank goodness for that:

The answer isn’t hitting him with a warning shot like Ariza did. It’s about finding how to defend that move … and good luck with that.

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Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Memphis Grizzlies (29-31) stop by the State Farm Arena on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off against the Atlanta Hawks (19-43). We analyze the Grizzlies-Hawks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Grizzlies at Hawks: Key injuries

GRIZZLIES

  • PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
  • PF Brandon Clarke (hip) out
  • SG Grayson Allen (hip) out
  • SF Justise Winslow (back) out

HAWKS

  • SF Cam Reddish (back) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out
  • C Dewayne Dedmon (elbow) out
  • SG DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal) out
  • C Clint Capela (heel) out

Grizzlies at Hawks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Grizzlies 133, Hawks 123

Moneyline (ML)

The Grizzlies (+110) snapped a five-game losing streak (overall and against the spread) when they upset the Los Angeles Lakers, 105-88, at home on Saturday. The Hawks (-134) have won back-to-back games, and four out of six (overall and against the spread), including 129-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. 

These are no longer the Grit & Grind Grizzlies that were making consecutive postseason appearances, but this team does play with grit that Atlanta doesn’t generally match. Memphis ranks 10th in second-chance points, fourth in fast break points and first at points in the paint. They are going against a Hawks team that ranks second to last in opponent’s second-chance points and opponents ‘points in the paint, plus 22nd in opponents’ fast-break points. The Grizzlies excel at what the Hawks struggle with, and they are in a dogfight for the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference playoffs – so they NEED this game.

HAMMER GRIZZLIES +110 on the moneyline.

New to sports betting? Bet $100 on Grizzlies to earn a profit of $100 if they upset the Hawks.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE SPREAD (+1.5, -106) and make the moneyline the main play. However, since this game is trending to being a coin flip, we can use this section (and against the spread trends) to strengthen our moneyline handicap.

Memphis has performed better than Atlanta in non-conference games:  the Grizzlies have a 10-10 record against Eastern Conference teams, while the Hawks are 9-13 versus teams from the West. Memphis is a tad better ATS team on the road against losing teams (8-7 ATS) than Atlanta is at home versus losing teams (5-5-1 ATS).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Hawks have an Over/Under record of 38-24, which is extraordinary because theoretically, bookmakers price Atlanta totals higher given their defense is terrible and offense chucks the eighth-most three-pointers in the NBA. In non-conference games, the combined O/U record of these teams is 27-15 and Atlanta home games have a 19-12 O/U record. The Hawks defense will have little resistance against the Grizzlies whose defense allows the 23rd most points per game.

BET OVER 239.5 (-115).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Trevor Ariza tried to just justify a cheap shot on Trae Young with a lame temper tantrum

Just…. no.

Trevor Ariza didn’t want Trae Young to embarrass him. Instead, Ariza embarrassed himself.

During the Atlanta Hawks’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, Young attempted to nutmeg Ariza, who responded by bodychecking Young to put a stoppage in play. Ariza was given a flagrant foul, and justifiably so — he shouldn’t aggressively foul a player for a skilled move.

After the game, Ariza approached Young, apparently to discuss the play. While the interaction seemed cordial, Ariza was apparently unhappy in the locker room after the game — and for no good reason.

“I told him, ‘Don’t do that shit again; not to me at least,’” Ariza said, via The Athletic. “I mean, I’ve never made an All-Defensive team or none of that shit, and he’s an All-Star, so he can be creative by ways to get around me. But all the, like, funnies? I’m not with the funnies. I don’t like the funnies.”

This whole display from Ariza is incredibly lame. He never should have fouled Young in the first place. There’s no rule against nutmegs — nothing written or unwritten. It is embarrassing to get nutmegged, so maybe Ariza should try not getting nutmegged? Play better defense.

That was bad enough. But then Ariza needlessly tried to justify his cheap foul with a tough-guy routine, which fell flat. Young was putting together a highlight-reel play, and Ariza messed up. There’s no reason to pretend he’s in the right for a needless foul. Young was better than Ariza on that possession. That happens in basketball. Get over it.

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Portland Trail Blazers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Portland Trail Blazers at Atlanta Hawks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Portland Trail Blazers (26-34) will travel to the State Farm Arena to take on the Atlanta Hawks (18-43) on Saturday night. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. E.T. We analyze the Trail Blazers-Hawks sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Trail Blazers at Atlanta Hawks: Key injuries

Trail Blazers:

  • PG Damian Lillard (groin) out
  • SG Rodney Hood (Achilles’) out
  • C Jusuf Nurkc (leg) out
  • PF Zach Collins (shoulder) out

Hawks:

  • C Clint Capela (heel) out
  • SG De’Andre Bembry (abdomen) questionable
  • C Dewayne Demon (elbow) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Trail Blazers at Hawks: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. E.T.

Prediction

Hawks 120, Trail Blazers 111

Moneyline (ML)

The HAWKS (-121) are slight home favorites against the Trail Blazers, despite Portland being without their best player in Damian Lillard. The Trail Blazers have been in a slump without Lillard, losing five of their last six games. And while the Hawks certainly haven’t been great, they have played better basketball since the All-Star break. Take Atlanta to win at home on Saturday night.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The HAWKS (-1.5, -110) are less than a basket favorite over the Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Without Lillard, Portland has been awful against the spread, failing to cover in the five of their last six games. Meanwhile, the Hawks have fared well against Western Conference opponents this season, covering in nine of their last 12 games against the opposing conference. Given how low this spread is, take the Hawks to cover this spread at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this Saturday night contest is set at 236.5, which feels about right considering how much these two teams have struggled on defense this season. Both the Trail Blazers and the Hawks ranked among the bottom five teams in the league on defense as each side is allowing more than 115 points per game. However, without Lillard, the Trail Blazers’ offense has been less than stellar, and that should allow the UNDER to hit in Atlanta.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Hawks present Nets with more than a very winnable matchup

The Brooklyn Nets have taken care of business against the Atlanta Hawks three times already in 2019-20. They must do so again on Friday.

Even with all the disarray in Cleveland and the constant chaos the Brooklyn Nets’ neighbors at Madison Square Garden experience, the Atlanta Hawks still enter Friday’s game as the last-place team in the Eastern Conference.

Now, they did beat the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat recently, so they have some life. But this is still a game the Nets should win — especially if Trae Young is ruled out (questionable due to illness).

In fact, this is a must-win for the Nets at this point.

The Orlando Magic are nipping at Brooklyn’s heels from the eighth spot in the conference, and the Nets have the Heat in Miami and the Celtics in Boston after this trip to Atlanta. Generally, those are two tough games. With the way the Nets have struggled lately, the Heat and Celtics are going to be even more challenging.

This is why the Nets not only need to win tonight to snap their skid, they need to get back on the same page, collectively. Friday’s game can’t be a battle to the finish. Brooklyn needs a reset. The Hawks can provide just that.

And if Brooklyn doesn’t get it done on Friday, they could be looking at another long skid. The Nets’ game against Atlanta can set the tone for Brooklyn’s start of March, so it’s not a game to be taken lightly — even though the Nets have gone 3-for-3 against the Hawks this season.

Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Dallas Mavericks (34-22) visit the Big Peach to play the Atlanta Hawks (16-41) Saturday in State Farm Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Mavericks-Hawks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Mavericks at Hawks: Key injuries

Mavericks

  • PF Dwight Powell (Achilles) out

Hawks

  • PF De’Andre Hunter (personal) out
  • SG DeAndre’ Bembry (abdominal) doubtful
  • PF Skal Labissiere (back) out
  • C Clint Capela (heel) out

Mavericks at Hawks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Mavericks 131, Hawks 118

Moneyline (ML)

NO PLAY. Atlanta PG Trae Young is coming off a career-high 50-point performance in a Thursday’s 129-124 home win against the Miami Heat. The Mavericks started their post-All-Star Break campaign off on the right note, winning at Orlando Magic 122-106 Friday.  Dallas smoked Atlanta in the first meeting at home 123-100 Feb. 1, and that was without its top two leading scorers in SG Luka Doncic and PF Kristaps Porzingis. I am ruling out a Hawks +200 upset because of their Saturday splits. Atlanta is 2-7 on Saturdays, losing by an average score of 126-105, whereas Dallas has a 7-3 record on Saturdays, winning by an average score of 121-108. However, the poor value of Mavericks -250 steers me away from wagering on them. PASS.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Honestly, one can make a great argument for both of these teams covering. The Hawks +6.5 (-121) are 16-10-1 ATS in home games, but the MAVERICKS -6.5 (+100) are 18-6-2 ATS in road games. Plus, Atlanta is 13-6 ATS at home against teams above .500; Dallas is 9-2-1 ATS on the road against teams below. 500. The Hawks are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up win, but the Mavericks are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings in Atlanta and are 2-10 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

I lean MAVERICKS -6.5 (+100) because of the Saturday splits, the first game of the season and Dallas just being a much better team this year.

Over/Under (O/U)

For all the noise about the Hawks’ offensive proclivity, they are last in the NBA in 3-point percentage and 23rd in field-goal percentage. Also, the Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings. But Dallas has the highest percentage of Overs this season and Atlanta has the fourth highest. Their combined O/U record is a staggering 60-43 for the season. Let’s root for a fun game and bet OVER 239.5 (-121). There should be Atlanta-bred rappers and celebrities in attendance, plus if Offset and Cardi B are there maybe Luka puts on a show for his crush.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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