The Atlanta Hawks (10-27) will try to snap their seven-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers (19-18) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The game is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018.
Portland is a 7-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 208 points.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Portland Trail Blazers Free Prediction
The Hawks are hoping for a better outcome after their 104-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns in their last outing. Phoenix’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Atlanta. The Suns had a rate of 0.552 (above their season average of 0.494), while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.471 (below their season average of 0.522). Ersan Ilyasova led Atlanta in scoring with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
In the Trail Blazers’ last game, they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 127-110. Getting to the free throw line was one of Cleveland’s biggest advantages. They had 37 free throw attempts, while Portland had just 19. With 23 points and seven rebounds, Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic put together a solid game.
It could be an error-filled game for the Portland offense. Portland ranks 14th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.1 percent), while the pesky defense of Atlanta forces the most turnovers in the league (16.2 percent).
Atlanta heads into the contest with records of 10-27 straight up (SU) and 20-15-2 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Hawks have a slight tendency to finish over the total (48.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Portland is 19-18 SU and 17-17-3 ATS. Of the Trail Blazers’ 37 games, 25 have finished under the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Trail Blazers lost 104-89, unable to cover as 2-point favorites. Shabazz Napier recorded 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The game finished with a total of 193 points, which was 10.5 points below the projected point total of 203.5 points. The Hawks’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Trail Blazers. Atlanta had a rate of 12.0, while Portland posted a mark of 18.1.
Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Atlanta is 10-7-2 ATS with 11 unders and 8 overs.
At home, Portland is 5-11-2 ATS with 13 unders and 5 overs.
In games where they allow less than 100 points, Atlanta is 3-3 and Portland is 13-4.
The Trail Blazers are 14-8 when they reach the century mark, while the Hawks are 10-15.
Portland ranks first in assists allowed per game (19.4) while Atlanta ranks 29th (25.5).
The Trail Blazers rank second in three pointers allowed per game (25.5) while the Hawks rank 26th (31.1).
Atlanta ranks sixth in steals per game (8.6) while Portland ranks 26th (6.6).
The Trail Blazers rank fourth in blocks per game (5.3) while the Hawks rank 24th (4.1).
Atlanta ranks seventh in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while Portland ranks 26th (14.6).
The Trail Blazers rank ninth in second chance points allowed per game (11.7) while the Hawks rank 28th (14.3).
Portland ranks eighth in rebounds per game (45.0) while Atlanta ranks 27th (40.1).
The Hawks rank 22nd in fast break points per game (9.5) while the Trail Blazers rank last (5.5).
Atlanta ranks 24th in points in the paint per game (41.2) while Portland ranks 25th (40.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Atlanta is 3-1-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Portland is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Hawks have outscored opponents by an average of 4.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Atlanta has lost by an average of 4.0 points.
During their last five games, the Trail Blazers have scored an average of 106.4 points per game (3.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.6 points per game (8.7 above their season average).
