Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

At 9:00 ET, the Denver Nuggets (-214) will host the Atlanta Hawks (+180) in a non-conference matchup. The Nuggets are favored by 5.5 points and the over/under line is set at 246.5.

Denver (18-13) is currently on a two-game win streak and sits fifth in the Western Conference. Atlanta (18-15) is on a four-game win streak and is sixth in the East.

ATLANTA HAWKS VS DENVER NUGGETS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Atlanta Hawks +5.5

This game will be played at Ball Arena at 9:00 ET on Wednesday, January 1st.

WHY BET THE ATLANTA HAWKS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 134-111 in favor of the Hawks.
• Our projections have Trae Young finishing with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 11 assists.
• From the field, we have the Hawks finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.8% and knocking down 15 threes.

Is a Win at Denver Possible for the Hawks?

The Hawks improved to 18-15 this season with a dominant 136-107 road win over the Raptors on Sunday. Atlanta, who entered the game as +1 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread with ease. The total points for the game reached 243, just edging over the pre-game line of 242.5.

Atlanta set the tone early, taking a 35-25 lead after the 1st quarter. Though Toronto won the 2nd quarter 33-29, the Hawks responded with a huge 3rd quarter, outscoring the Raptors 40-24. They carried a 104-82 lead into the 4th and finished strong, winning the final quarter 32-25.

Trae Young knocked down 7 threes at a 53.8% clip, finishing with 34 points and 10 assists in the Hawks’ win over the Raptors. De’Andre Hunter added 22 points, shooting 72.7% from the field and hitting 2 of 3 from deep.

As a team, Atlanta made 18 threes, shooting 40% from beyond the arc and 48.4% overall. Young scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Onyeka Okongwu added 9 of his 15 points in the period.

The Hawks’ defense was solid in their win over the Raptors, giving up just 107 points. They held Toronto to 25 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters and limited them to 24 points in the 3rd.

Atlanta did an excellent job defending the three, allowing only 7 made threes on 29% shooting. They also racked up 22 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

Can the Nuggets Please their Home Crowd?

Denver improved to 18-13 on the season with a 132-121 road win over the Jazz on Monday. The Nuggets, favored by 7.5 points, covered the spread, and the game’s total of 253 points exceeded the over/under line of 238.5 by 14.5 points.

A key moment came when Denver went on a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 24-21 to 34-21. They outscored Utah 34-23 in the 3rd quarter and maintained their lead by edging the Jazz 34-32 in the 4th.

Nikola Jokić put up 36 points, 22 rebounds, and 11 assists in the Nuggets’ win over the Jazz, shooting 42.4% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 33.3%. Michael Porter Jr. added 21 points, and Christian Braun contributed 20, shooting 75% from the floor.

Denver shot 50.5% overall, but struggled from deep, making just 9 threes at a 30% clip. Jokić scored 17 points in the 3rd quarter, while Porter added 9 in the 4th.

Despite giving up 121 points on 51% shooting, the Nuggets’ defense tightened up in the 3rd quarter, allowing just 23 points, helping them secure the win over the Jazz. Denver gave up 37 points in the 1st but improved in the 2nd, allowing 29 points. They finished by allowing 32 points in the 4th.

The Nuggets did a solid job defending the three, holding the Jazz to 13 made threes on 34% shooting. Denver also sent Utah to the line 22 times, where they made 20 free throws. The Nuggets collected 34 defensive rebounds, gave up 7 offensive boards, and recorded 13 steals.