Hawks vs. 76ers Odds, Game 1 Preview, Picks, & Prediction

by Sloan Piva (SloanPiva) Last Updated 2021-06-05 19:32:56

Hawks vs. 76ers Game 1 Odds

Things are starting to get interesting! It’s time to kick off the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. After Giannis and the Bucks travel to Brooklyn to do battle with the Nets Saturday, the young-gunning Hawks will tip off against the top-seeded 76ers Sunday. These teams are both hitting on all cylinders right now, with Trae Young as electric as he was in college and Joel Embiid —when active—showing why he’s an MVP candidate this season.

More NBA betting tips: Bucks vs. Nets Series Odds

Hawks vs. 76ers Preview

Don’t let Atlanta’s No. 5 seed mislead you—this Hawks team is scrappy, competitive, and very lethal from long range. Philly might have won the regular-season series 2-1—and outscored Atlanta 347-299 in the process—but the ATL will not be rolling over in the conference semis.

Still, if Embiid plays, how can we not like the Sixers? The giant fifth-year center has become one of the 10 biggest matchup nightmares in professional hoops. He combines size, strength, and intelligence with a surprisingly smooth stroke. A multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive selection, he also rebounds, defends, and passes the ball as well as any big man in the Eastern Conference.

Embiid, still just 26, averaged 24 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in just 23.8 minutes per game in Round 1, before suffering a slight Meniscus tear in Game 4. He shot 63.5 percent from the floor, 46.2 percent from three-point land, and 88.9 percent from the line. He committed just nine turnovers in the 4-1 gentleman’s sweep of the Wizards, and had just eight fouls in the four games he suited up for in the series. When healthy, he’s a stud. If he keeps improving, he could end up the Hakeem Olajuwon of this era—with shooting range.

Speaking of shooting range, Seth Curry is the last Curry standing this postseason, and he sure looks like he belongs on the big stage. Steph’s little bro scored 15.8 points per game in Round 1, and splashed 10-of-29 three-point attempts. He shot 52.5 percent from the field, 34.5 percent from distance, and 7-of-7 from the line, and enjoyed a 14-to-3 assist-to-turnover rate.

Then there’s the powerful presence of Ben Simmons. One of the NBA’s true point guard unicorns at 6-foot-11, 240 pounds, Simmons averaged nearly a triple-double in the first round (14.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 9.2 apg). He shot a smoldering 64 percent from the field, and logged a 46-to-11 assist-to-turnover rate. He’s practically unguardable on one end of the floor, and on the other end, he’s extremely difficult to score on.

Last but certainly not least, Philly has veteran Tobias Harris playing the best basketball of his career. In the Sixers’ five-game dismissal of Washington, Harris averaged 25 points, 10 boards, and 3.8 assists. He also finished with shooting percentages of 50.5/38.1/90.5, finishing just .19 from three-point land shy of an unfathomable 50/40/90 playoff series. He is an elite pure scorer, and he brings a high basketball IQ, strong defense, and clutch factor to every game.

But Atlanta has a clutch beast of its own in Trae Young. The No. 5 pick from the 2018 NBA Draft put the Hawks on his back during the regular season, leading Atlanta to the No. 5 seed, and then he piloted the steamrolling of New York 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs. Ice Trae gave the Knicks freezer burn, averaging 29.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, and burying the higher seed with dagger after dagger. He even took a bow during the final act of the elimination game at Madison Square Garden. Like Charlie Murphy in the ‘80s, that man is cold blooded.

Young has help this year, too. Wing scorers Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, and DeAndre Hunter can all get hot at a moment’s notice. Big men John Collins and Clint Capela are dual-court phenoms, capable of packing a punch on offense while also taking over the game defensively. Even veteran Lou Williams has made an impact for his hometown team as of late.

But in the end, Philly is just too strong and well-coached a team—with too many superior players—for Atlanta to stand a chance on the road. If Embiid plays, Philly seems like a lock to emerge with the easy victory. The Sixers swept Atlanta at the Wells Fargo Center this season, outscoring the Hawks 253-187. Their dominating 32-7 home record ranked second in the NBA, behind only Utah (33-6). Meanwhile, Atlanta finished just 18-21 in away games during the regular season.

Hawks vs. 76ers Betting Picks

Take your pick in this one, because there are a ton of appealing bets to make. You can bet the Sixers -140 on the moneyline if you want to play it safe. That number would be much, much bigger and much, much less of a payout for Philly if Embiid’s health was less of a question mark. The “slight meniscus tear” Embiid suffered in Game 4, when he fell to the floor after attacking the rim, has caused more than a slight ripple effect on sportsbooks.

If Embiid does not suit up, I’m opting for Philly’s moneyline. If he does get the go-ahead from coach Doc Rivers and the Sixers medical staff, I’m taking Philly -2.5. The home team has far too many scoring options—and far too many high-quality defenders—to fall to a young squad that often struggles on the road.

Trigger Trae may fire with accuracy regardless of the venue, but his supporting cast suffers mightily from road-game misfires. Just look at the Hawks’ Round 1 splits: at State Farm Arena, they shot 47.9 percent from the floor, 86.1 percent from the line, and a whopping 47 percent from three; at Madison Square Garden, they shot 42.1 percent from the floor, 81.7 percent from the line, and just 29.5 percent from distance. They also averaged 26 assists in their two home games, compared to just 17 assists per game in their three road games.

I’m also all-in on the Sixers’ -1 halftime spread, and see plenty of value in their -130 halftime moneyline. I like both those bets whether Embiid is active or not, just like I like Philly’s -140 game line with or without him. Game 1 should go to the better, older, and wiser squad with the superior home splits.

As for the series as a whole, we could be looking at a gentleman’s sweep with the presumed MVP runner-up active, or a seven-game barn-burner if Embiid misses some games. Atlanta’s Cinderella story may soon come to a close, and the fate of Embiid’s knee will determine how long the Hawks will dance.

HALFTIME SCORE PREDICTION: 60-57
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION (WITH EMBIID): 117-111
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION (WITHOUT EMBIID): 111-109

Image Credit: Imagn