Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/9

The NBA regular season kicks off with the Atlanta Hawks visiting the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. The game is set for Friday, January 9, 2026, at 9:00 PM and will be broadcast on FDSS. The Hawks come into this game with an 18-21 record, while the Nuggets hold a 25-12 record.

Atlanta, under Head Coach Quin Snyder, sits 9th in the Eastern Conference. They recently won against the New Orleans Pelicans, 117-100. On the other side, the Nuggets are 3rd in the Western Conference and have won their last two games. Their most recent win was against the Boston Celtics, 114-110.

Hawks vs Nuggets Game Day Info

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets
  • Venue: Ball Arena
  • Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Nuggets -1.5, Hawks +1.5, Over/Under 237.5

Atlanta Hawks Team Preview

The Atlanta Hawks are coming off a recent win against the New Orleans Pelicans. They scored 117 points, with a field goal percentage of 46.3%. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels both had strong performances in this game.

This season, the Hawks are averaging 118.4 points per game, ranking them 11th in the league. They are also second in possessions per game with 102.1. However, they struggle defensively, allowing 119.4 points per game.

Jalen Johnson is a key player for the Hawks, averaging 23.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributes 20.4 points per game. The team will be without CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, who are not with the team.

Denver Nuggets Team Preview

The Denver Nuggets recently showed strong performances in their games. They won against the Boston Celtics, scoring 114 points with a field goal percentage of 44.8%. Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson stood out, with Murray contributing 22 points and 17 assists, while Watson added 30 points.

The Nuggets lead the league in several offensive categories. They average 124.1 points per game, which ranks first. Their field goal percentage is 50.7%, and they also lead in three-point percentage at 40.4%.

The team faces some challenges with injuries. Key players like Nikola Jokić and Jonas Valančiūnas are out. However, players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are probable, which might help the Nuggets maintain their momentum.

BTB Betting Pick

The Atlanta Hawks are getting +1.5 points against the Denver Nuggets. With the Hawks scoring 118.4 points per game and the Nuggets allowing 118.1 points per game, the Hawks have a chance to cover the spread. The Nuggets’ strong offense might make it close, but the Hawks’ ability to score can keep them within the 1.5-point spread.

The total for the game is set at 237.5 points. The Hawks allow 119.4 points per game, while the Nuggets score 124.1 points per game. This suggests a high-scoring game, so taking the over seems reasonable. Both teams have potent offenses, making it likely they will surpass the total.