The Portland Trail Blazers will continue their road trip as they head down to Atlanta to take on the Hawks on Monday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Blazers-Hawks prediction and pick.

Portland has been rolling back onto the scene with four-straight road wins coming into this inter-conference affair with the Hawks. Atlanta is slowly healing up with the postseason around the corner and finally pulled off a win against the Bulls on Saturday night. Which club fighting for playoff position will come away with a crucial victory?

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Blazers-Hawks odds.

NBA Odds: Blazers-Hawks Odds

Portland Trail Blazers +2 (-105)

Atlanta Hawks -2 (-115)

Over 235 Points (-110)

Under 235 Points (-110)

Why The Blazers Could Cover The Spread

The Portland Trail Blazers looked like a team that was going to plummet out of playoff contention just a few weeks ago. They have since responded in the best way possible with four-straight wins on the road coming into this matchup with the Hawks. They are now in a three-way tie with the Mavericks and the Lakers for the fifth seed in the west. On the back end of the three-way tie is a spot in the first-ever play-in tournament. Portland has all of the motivation in the world to remain out of that tournament with just eight games to play.

The Blazers secured an impressive road victory against the Boston Celtics to continue the winning streak on Sunday. CJ McCollum has been brilliant for Portland of late and turned in another great performance with 33 points in the win against Boston. Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic each added double-doubles in the resounding 10-point victory. With a matchup against the Lakers looming this week, the Blazers should have all of the motivation in the world to take care of business in Atlanta. Portland is 5-1 ATS in their last six road games coming in and the NBA odds in this one reflect that confidence.

Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread

The Atlanta Hawks looked like one of the most improved teams in the NBA earlier this season. If it weren't for a few key injuries mid-season, the Hawks very well could've been competing for a top spot in the east right now. They now find themselves in the middle of a three-team battle for the fifth-through-seventh seeds. Similar to Portland, the Hawks will have Miami and Boston breathing down their necks as Atlanta is just two games away from slipping into that dreadful seventh seed.

Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak with their recent win against the Chicago Bulls. Trae Young led the way for the Hawks with 33 points, seven assists, three boards, and two steals. Clint Capela and John Collins each added double-doubles in the crucial victory to get their team back on track. Atlanta secured their spot in the postseason and would now like to secure their spot in the top six seeds to avoid the play-in tournament. The Hawks will return to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and will look to use a run this year to prove their legitimacy to future free agents going forward. Atlanta has enjoyed playing at home this season as they're 19-11 ATS at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and the NBA odds see them as a two point favorite in this one.

Final Blazers-Hawks Prediction & Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers have been on a roll of late and have shown no signs of slowing down. They're playing some of the best basketball of the season and know the importance of this game with a Laker matchup looming. Atlanta is a respectable group this year, but Portland is simply the better team. The true difference lies on the offensive end of the floor. Portland has surpassed 128 points in four-straight and Atlanta has failed to surpass 108 points in four-straight games coming in. The Hawks are beginning to regain their health and will now hope to regain their chemistry on the fly down the stretch.

FINAL PICK: Portland Trail Blazers +2 (-105)