The Philadelphia 76ers will host the Atlanta Hawks for Game 5 of this best-of-seven playoff series. It’s time to continue our NBA Playoffs odds series and make a Hawks-76ers Game 5 prediction and pick.
This series is dead even at two games a piece following Atlanta's exciting three-point victory in Game 4. The Hawks were down by double-digits early in that game and looked to be checking out of this series. Philadelphia will now have home court advantage in a best-of-three series with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Hawks-76ers Game 5 odds.
NBA Odds: Hawks-76ers Game 5 Odds
Atlanta Hawks +6.5 (-105)
Philadelphia 76ers -6.5 (-115)
Over 223.5 Points (-110)
Under 223.5 Points (-110)
Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
The Atlanta Hawks proved to us in Game 4 that they belong on this stage and that they aren't going away when their backs are up against the wall. Trae Young is continuing to show us why he's got next in this league and although the 76ers are doing a good job of slowing him, Young is finding ways to get everyone else involved. With dependable big men like John Collins and Clint Capela, Young just has to create space with his tremendous playmaking ability.
Atlanta's superstar point guard put together an incredible performance in Game 4 with 25 points and 18 assists. Young's efficiency was affected by a sore shoulder, but his impact on the game was unmatched. The fact that he scored 25 points on 26 attempts and his team still won the game shows that he has a solid supporting cast and a coach that believes in his abilities.
John Collins and Clint Capela picked up the slack with highly efficient performances from the field. Capela registered 12 points and 13 rebounds and Collins added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter will be extremely important from the perimeter in Game 5 as they combined to drop 32 points the Game 4 win.
Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread
The Philadelphia 76ers were undoubtedly disappointed in themselves after blowing an 18-point first half lead in Game 4. Philadelphia had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead if they had held on and now face a tough task against a hot and confident Hawks bunch. They knew that Atlanta wouldn't be a pushover, but I'm sure not even Doc Rivers though that they'd push them this hard.
The 76ers are hoping to get out to another early lead, which would allow them to give Joel Embiid some rest as he's dealing with a slight meniscus tear. Embiid is playing a lot of minutes right now and it showed in his 0-for-12 second half performance in Game 4. The 76ers big man still registered 17 points and 21 rebounds in the loss.
Philadelphia has to play the unselfish basketball that they were all season long and get away from the hero ball that they played in the second half of Game 4. Ben Simmons is an elite facilitator, Seth Curry and Tobias Harris are elite perimeter threats, and Joel Embiid is the anchor. If everyone plays their role and feeds off of each other, there are few teams that can beat this group.
Final Hawks-76ers Game 5 Prediction & Pick
Game 5 of this series will feature a ton of intensity and emotion from both sides. In a game that will require maximum effort on both sides of the ball, it's tough to tell who will have the ultimate edge. Although the outcome may be a bit unpredictable at this point, it's likely that this game will feature a ton of defense. Both teams top scorers are hampered with injuries as well, which should take some points off the board. Philadelphia typically clamps down on the defensive end following a loss and they play some of the league's best defense at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers have hit the under in 16 of their last 21 games following a straight up loss.
FINAL GAME 5 PICK: Under 223.5 Points (-110)
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