The Atlanta Hawks (10-29) will attempt to snap their nine-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers (17-21) at Staples Center. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 8, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 212.5 points with Los Angeles set as a 4-point favorite.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Free Prediction
The Hawks are trying to rebound after their 132-113 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their last matchup. Los Angeles’ effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Atlanta. The Lakers had a rate of 0.651 (above their season average of 0.500), while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.500. Dennis Schroder was the top scorer from either team with 27 points on 10-for-23 shooting.
In the Clippers’ last matchup, they fell to the Golden State Warriors, 121-105. Golden State out-rebounded Los Angeles. The Warriors had more offensive rebounds (16 vs. 10), defensive rebounds (40 vs. 35) and total rebounds (56 vs. 45). Los Angeles’ DeAndre Jordan contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Los Angeles offense. Los Angeles ranks 18th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.3 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Atlanta forces the most turnovers in the league (16.2 percent).
Atlanta comes into the contest with records of 10-29 straight up (SU) and 20-16-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Hawks games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 17-21 SU and 20-17-1 ATS. Of the Clippers’ 38 games, 20 have finished over the O/U total.
Lou Williams has averaged 28.6 points and 6.0 assists over the last five games for Los Angeles.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Blake Griffin had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the first game, in which the Clippers defeated the Hawks 116-103, covering as 2.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 219 points, which was 9.5 points above the projected point total of 209.5 points. Los Angeles’ 0.678 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Atlanta, who had a mark of 0.542.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Clippers ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Atlanta is 10-8-2 ATS with 12 unders and 8 overs.
At home, Los Angeles is 10-9 ATS with 11 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
When allowing below 100 points, Los Angeles is 10-2 and Atlanta is 3-3.
The Clippers are 15-14 when they score more than 100 points, while the Hawks are 10-16.
Los Angeles ranks second in second chance points per game (14.5) while Atlanta ranks 29th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
The Hawks rank fourth in assists per game (23.7) while the Clippers rank 24th (21.0).
Los Angeles ranks sixth in points in the paint per game (47.5) while Atlanta ranks 25th (41.0).
The Hawks rank sixth in steals per game (8.5) while the Clippers rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
Los Angeles ranks 13th in blocks per game (4.8) while Atlanta ranks 26th (4.1).
The Clippers rank 15th in rebounds per game (43.5) while the Hawks rank 28th (40.0).
Los Angeles ranks 15th in three pointers attempted per game (29.4) while Atlanta ranks 27th in three pointers allowed per game (31.2).
The Hawks rank sixth in points off turnovers per game (18.4) while the Clippers rank 18th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.0).
Atlanta ranks 19th in fast break points allowed per game (12.2) while Los Angeles ranks 28th (14.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Atlanta is 2-2-1 ATS with 5 unders.
Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 4.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (6.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (4.7 above their season average).
