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The Atlanta Hawks will play their first home game of the 2020-21 season on Monday night against the Detroit Pistons. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Hawks-Pistons prediction.
The Hawks currently stand at 2-0, with victories over the Bulls and Grizzlies. The Pistons stand at 0-2, with losses to the Cavaliers and Timberwolves.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening lines.
NBA Odds: Pistons vs. Hawks Odds
Atlanta Hawks -10 (-110)
Detroit Pistons +10 (-110)
Over 223 PTS (-110)
Under 223 PTS (-110)
Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
Atlanta has looked dominant out of the gates, covering the spread in both of their wins so far. The Hawks embarrassed the Bulls in their opener, and the final score of 124-104 isn't even fully indicative of how dominant a win it truly was.
In their next game was against the Grizzlies, they were shorthanded, missing both Danilo Gallinari and Clint Capela. Even with the key losses, Atlanta pulled away late against a gritty Memphis team.
Tonight, Capela is probable to take the floor. Gallinari is questionable. Even without Gallo, the Hawks should have plenty of firepower to overtake the unimpressive Pistons.
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Additionally, Detroit will be short two key players tonight. Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin will both sit out of this matchup, leaving a weak Pistons lineup even weaker.
If Gallo plays tonight, this could be a massacre. If he doesn't, it should still be a resounding Atlanta victory, enough to cover the 10-point spread set by Vegas.
Why The Pistons Could Cover The Spread
While the Pistons and Hawks have records that are mirror images of each other, the teams are closer than they appear.
Atlanta beat two teams that figure to be sitting towards the bottom of their respective conferences. The Hawks might be 2-0, but it's not exactly an eye-opening start.
The Pistons' losses came against two subpar opponents, but both of those teams are off to hot starts. After beating Detroit, the Wolves went on to beat a Western Conference contender in Utah. The Cavaliers are currently undefeated and beat a contender as well in the Sixers.
Without Griffin or Rose, Detroit is going to need a spirited effort from the rest of the team to even make this one close.
Killian Hayes will have the opportunity to quiet early doubts by logging his first positive NBA game. His defensive matchup should be Trae Young, which could help the rook finally break double digit scoring.
If guys like Hayes and Jerami Grant can step up and shoulder the scoring load left by Griffin and Rose, Detroit stands a chance.
Final Pistons-Hawks Prediction
Fully healthy, the Pistons still might not cover a double-digit spread against the Hawks. I don't see a Detroit team without two of their best players standing up to an Atlanta team looking to put on a show in their home debut. Like the Bulls-Hawks matchup, I expect this one to get ugly.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: ATL 122, DET 107
