Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks Odds, Preview, and Prediction
Nets vs. Hawks Odds
| Nets Odds | +2 |
| Hawks Odds | -2 |
| Over/Under | 227.5 |
| Date | Friday, Dec. 10 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Tonight, the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks will battle at State Farm Arena. Brooklyn rested Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge in their most recent game against the Houston Rockets, resulting in a loss. However, Brooklyn will be back at full strength tonight, which has been a scary sight for opponents this fall. Atlanta is playing their first game since Monday, but will be without Bogdan Bogdanovic, Solomon Hill, and De’Andre Hunter, and this evening. Oddsmakers are anticipating a tightly-contested affair in this one, pricing the Hawks as two-point home favorites on the spread at online sportsbooks.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Nets vs. Hawks odds and picks.
Nets
At the beginning of the season, many pundits expected the absence of Kyrie Irving to be a significant blow to Brooklyn. Simply, that has not been the case as the Nets enter play with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Patty Mills and LaMarcus Aldridge have been a huge reason for Brooklyn’s early season success. When Kevin Durant, James Harden, Mills, and Aldridge are on the floor together this year, they rank in the 100th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 84th percentile in defensive efficiency, per Cleaning the Glass.
Brooklyn has been one of the better road teams in the NBA this season, ranking 3rd in Net Rating, outscoring their opponents by 4.9 points per 100 possessions. The Nets are tied with the Phoenix Suns for the most road victories in the league through the first quarter of the campaign. At full strength with plenty of rest for their best players, Brooklyn could be a problem this evening for Atlanta.
Hawks
Following a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Hawks are off to a mediocre 13-12 start to the new year, despite the brilliance of Trae Young. Young is averaging 26.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per night on 45.6 shooting from the floor and 39.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Yet, the absence of Atlanta’s top sharpshooters has been difficult to overcome of late.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Cam Reddish are Atlanta’s third and fourth leading scorer, respectively this season. In their absence, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has excelled, hitting 9-for-19 on his three-pointers over the last two games in an expanded role. Yet, it is doubtful that a player who is a career 33.4 percent shooter from deep will continue to perform at such a high level. Danilo Gallinari has also stepped up recently against poor defenses, such as the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves (missing D’Angelo Russell). Atlanta could find it difficult to count on their role players for strong production from the perimeter in this one against a Bro
oklyn team that has defended the three-point line better than any team in the NBA this season.
Pick and Prediction
Atlanta is likely getting some credit on the market ahead of tip-off due to their unusually long period of rest prior to this game. However, that is not necessarily a benefit. Rust could be an issue early in the game, especially against a capable defensive team. Brooklyn played on Wednesday, but Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge have not played since Tuesday, which means that the Nets are also extremely rested heading into tonight’s action. Bettors should expect a competitive contest between two talented teams, but Brooklyn is the smart play as a road underdog in this spot.
PICK: Nets +2 (-110)
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