The Atlanta Hawks will look to be road warriors as they travel to “Hogtown” to square off with the sixth-seeded Toronto Raptors. Join us and take a sneak peek at our NBA odds series, where our Hawks-Raptors prediction and pick will be made.
The Atlanta Hawks enter Tuesday evening's culmination as a group who is looking to rule out having to partake in the play-in elimination game between the nine and ten seeds of the conference, The Hawks are currently 41-37 and sit a game in front of the Hornets and Nets with four games remaining on the regular-season scheduled slate. Atlanta is 15-23 as the visitor thus far this year.
Toronto has no question seen its ups and downs throughout the 2021-2022 season, but Canada's lone NBA team is trending in the right direction, going 7-3 in their previous ten contests and maintaining a 2.5 game lead on the seven seed in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coming out victorious against a scrappy Hawks squad would do wonders in guaranteeing Toronto a chance to play in a seven-game playoff series. The Raptors have been only average on their home floor with a 21-17 record in 38 games played.
Here are the Hawks-Raptors NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA odds: Hawks-Raptors Odds
Atlanta Hawks: +4 (-110)
Toronto Raptors: -4 (-110)
Over: 226 (-110)
Under: 226 (-110)
*Watch NBA Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Why The Hawks Could Cover the Spread
With a loss on Tuesday night against the Raptors, the Hawks would be all but eliminated in their pursuit of a top-six finish. Atlanta's recent stretch has been nothing but improbable, as the Hawks' five-game winning streak has put them in a position to make things rather interesting in the final week of the season. Yes, the Hawks haven't looked like the same group of men that went on a magical run to the Eastern Conference Finals that saw them battle the defending champion, Milwaukee Bucks, to six games.
Consistency has lacked at times with Atlanta this year, but they are a dangerous squad that is coming together in all facets of the game. Whether it be their sense of swagger on defense, the ability to move the ball around on offense, or stringing together an exuberant amount of points as of late, the Hawks are a team no one wants to play come postseason time. Atlanta may be coming off five consecutive victories, but going out on the road in the NBA and finding a way to win is no easy task.
In order to cover the spread and possibly win a six straight, it will be because of Trae Young, who has been the spark Atlanta so desperately needed in the final stages of the regular season. Young has dropped 30 points in four of his last five games and has had a double-double on three occasions during the Hawks' scalding play. Atlanta has scored at least 120 points dating back to Mar. 23rd. With power forward John Collins back to his usual superstar self down low on the block, the Hawks are capable of beating you in many different ways. Atlanta is 35-43 ATS on the year.
Why The Raptors Could Cover the Spread
Looking at the Raptors on paper, they should have a tremendous advantage on the boards in this one. Despite their home struggles throughout a majority of the campaign that can be blamed on strict COVID-19 protocols that have prevented fans from attending, Toronto is a well-balanced team that can ensue some damage. In fact, Toronto has showcased its sweltering play by being winners of five straight before coming up short in their most recent outing versus Miami 114-109. The Raptors now sit twelve games above .500 at 45-33, their best mark at any point this season. The stakes are high in this Tuesday evening matchup, as Toronto can clinch a top-six finish in the conference and avoid the play-in tournament with a win at Scotiabank Arena.
Like many teams throughout the league, Toronto has had to find a way to survive a flurry of injuries that has forced coach Nick Nurse to do some shuffling. One name that is expected to be back on Tuesday versus the Hawks is small forward OG Anunoby, whose 17.3 PPG on 44.5% shooting has given opposing defenses fits when he is healthy.
Who is going to slow down Trae Young? Young exploited the Raptors defensively in these teams' previous matchup, in which the Oklahoma sharpshooting product led the way in a 127-100 Hawks win with 41 points and 11 assists. If Toronto can be aggressive and match Young with some physicality, then the chances of the Raptors covering will skyrocket.
Final Hawks-Raptors Prediction & Pick
This game has the makings to be an all-out barnburner, and depending on whose suiting up for either side will be telling in which squad comes out victorious. It is hard to ignore the Hawks and the fast-tempo, upbeat brand of basketball that they have been exhibiting during their torrid stretch, and there's no reason it should not continue. The Hawks haven't been great as the visiting team, but have the Raptors been that much better? This one should be close until the final horn sounds. Expect Atlanta to get the job done on the road.
Final Hawks-Raptors Pick: Hawks +4 (-110)
Follow Us
Subscribe