The Atlanta Hawks (14-32) take on the Toronto Raptors (31-14) at Philips Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
Toronto opened as a 6-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 215.5 points.
Toronto Raptors vs. Atlanta Hawks Free Prediction
The Raptors are trying to rebound after their 115-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their last outing. One of Minnesota’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 42 free throw attempts, while Toronto had just 21. Kyle Lowry was the game’s high scorer with 40 points on 14-for-25 shooting.
In the Hawks’ last matchup, they beat the Utah Jazz, 104-90. Atlanta’s 23.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Utah, who had a rate of 17.1. The Hawks’ mark was above their season average of 22.8, while the Jazz’s was below the 25.4 mark opponents have averaged against Atlanta this season. With 17 points, Taurean Prince put together a good outing for Atlanta.
The ineffective offense of Atlanta (23rd in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 104.4) will square off against the stingy defense of Toronto (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 103.7). The Raptors figure to have the advantage on that end of the court. Moreover, the Raptors commit the fourth-fewest errors in the league (turnover percentage of 12.9 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Hawks causes the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.8 percent).
Toronto holds records of 31-14 straight up (SU) and 24-21 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Raptors games, with 24 overs compared to 21 unders.
Meanwhile, Atlanta is 14-32 SU and 25-19-2 ATS. Unlike Toronto, a little over half of Hawks games have finished under the total.
The Raptors have won both contests against the Hawks this season, including a 13-point victory the last time these teams met. Toronto covered as an 11-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 209 points, which was 9 points below the projected point total of 218 points. The Raptors had a much better turnover percentage (9.2 vs. 15.7) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.8 vs. 30.4). In the loss, Prince had a double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Toronto is 13-12 ATS on the road with 14 overs and 11 unders.
Atlanta is 13-10 ATS at home with 11 overs, 11 unders and 1 push.
When allowing under 100 points, Toronto is 14-4 and Atlanta is 7-3.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Hawks are 13-18 and the Raptors are 28-8.
Toronto ranks second in blocks per game (5.9) while Atlanta ranks 25th (4.1).
The Raptors rank fifth in points in the paint per game (48.1) while the Hawks rank 28th (40.7).
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (25.6) while Atlanta ranks 23rd (30.5).
The Raptors rank 10th in assists allowed per game (22.1) while the Hawks rank 29th (25.6).
Atlanta averages 12.9 second chance points per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Toronto ranks 29th in second chance points allowed per game (13.7).
The Raptors average 18.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the league. The Hawks rank 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
Toronto ranks ninth in steals per game (8.3) while Atlanta ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (8.4).
The Raptors average 13.6 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Hawks rank 17th in fast break points allowed per game (11.8).
Toronto ranks 15th in rebounds per game (43.3) while Atlanta ranks 25th (41.1).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Toronto is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Atlanta is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Raptors have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Toronto has defeated opponents by an average of 7.3 points.
During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 100.4 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.0 points per game (6.5 below their season average).
