The Philadelphia 76ers (4-33) play the visiting Atlanta Hawks (21-15) at the Wells Fargo Center. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7 and will air on FxS, CSP and C+D.
The 76ers were victorious over the Timberwolves 109-99 on Monday. Ish Smith played a key role, recording 21 points and 11 assists to notch his seventh double-double this season. The Hawks, meanwhile, are coming off a 107-101 loss at the hands of the Knicks on Tuesday. Al Horford scored 13 points and recorded 10 rebounds earning his ninth double-double of the season.
Nerlens Noel has been playing at a high level as of late for the 76ers, averaging 15.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.4 blocks over the last five games. Horford has also been on a tear in the same span, averaging 17.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 three-pointers while leading the Hawks.
It could be an error-filled game for the 76ers offense, which ranks 30th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 17.6%). It’ll be facing the ball-hawking defense of Atlanta, which forces the second-most turnovers in the NBA (16.3%).
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Hawks won the first game 127-106. Jeff Teague was a top performer in the victory with 18 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers.
The Over/Under (O/U) for this game is 204 points and the 76ers are a considerable nine-point underdog. The 76ers enter the game with records of 4-33 Straight Up (SU) and 15-21-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 0-20 SU and 5-15 ATS versus the Eastern Conference.
Across the court, the Hawks head into the game with records of 16-18-2 ATS and 21-15 SU. Atlanta has records of 12-9 SU and 9-10-2 ATS against the East. Defenses have a tough time accounting for every player when up against the Hawks, who are known for distributing the ball with 25.0 assists per game. Switching gears to Atlanta’s defense, it averages 9.2 steals per game, good for third in the league. A large part of Atlanta’s game is creating turnovers and turning them into points. They are scoring 20.2 points per game off turnovers, which ranks first in the league.
The Hawks’ win over Philadelphia in their last clash brought their SU record in the past 10 games to 8-2. Additionally, the Hawks lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Atl, ATS Winner – Atl, O/U – Under
Notes
Philadelphia is 4-13-1 ATS in its last 18 games.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Philadelphia’s last 12 games.
Philadelphia is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games.
Philadelphia is 2-17 SU in its last 19 games at home.
Philadelphia is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games when playing Atlanta.
Philadelphia is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta.
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta.
Atlanta ranks 12th in points per game with 101.8, while Philadelphia ranks 25th in points allowed with an average of 104.6 given up.
Atlanta scores an average of 100.7 points per away game (ranked 12th). Philadelphia ranks 28th in points allowed per home game with 105.7.
Atlanta has a 12-5 record when opponents score fewer than 100 points. Philadelphia has yet to win a game in which it puts up under 100 (0-26).
When giving up at least 100 points, Atlanta has a 9-10 record. When Philadelphia hits triple digits, it is a poor 4-7.
The 76ers have a defensive rating of 105.5 (ranked 22nd), while the Hawks rank seventh for their offensive rating of 104.3.
The Atlanta Hawks have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking eighth in the league with a FG% of 45.8%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Philadelphia 76ers have an abysmal 2-18 record.
On average, the Philadelphia 76ers attempt 25.0 three point field goals per game and the Atlanta Hawks attempt 26.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Philadelphia has an underachieving record of 3-17, while Atlanta is 9-12.
The fourth-ranked team, Atlanta has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.77 this season. Philadelphia ranks lower at 30th with an A/TO of 1.12.
Both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks have had their share of rebound struggles this season. The 76ers rank 26th in rebounding (41.9 per game) and the Hawks rank 30th (40.3 per game).
Philadelphia is ranked 24th in defensive rebounds, while Atlanta ranks 29th in offensive rebounds.
Atlanta is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.3% (ranked second). Philadelphia has a subpar record of 2-21 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 16.3% or greater.
