Atlanta Hawks vs Los Angeles Lakers Betting Pick & Prediction 1/3/25
In a non-conference matchup, the Hawks (18-16) travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers (19-14). Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 ET at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers (-161) are favored by 3.5 points over the Hawks (+136) in a game that can be seen on NBA TV. The over/under line for this matchup is 231.5 points.
ATLANTA HAWKS VS LOS ANGELES LAKERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Atlanta Hawks +3.5
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 ET on Friday, January 3rd.
WHY BET THE ATLANTA HAWKS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 134-96 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 16 threes.
Will Atlanta Win on the Road?
The Hawks fell to 18-16 on the season following a 139-120 road loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday. Atlanta entered the game as +8.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total score of 259 points exceeded the over/under line of 246.5 by 12.5 points.
After a 12-0 run by the Nuggets, the Hawks trailed 98-79. Atlanta won the 2nd quarter 38-34 but were outscored 41-24 in the 3rd. They edged Denver 25-24 in the 4th, but the damage was done.
In their loss to the Nuggets, the Hawks shot 45% from the field, with a 34.8% mark from three-point range, hitting 16 threes overall. Trae Young led the way, hitting 4 threes at 40% and finishing with 30 points and 9 assists.
De’Andre Hunter added 20 points, connecting on 3 threes at a 60% rate. Vít Krejčí chipped in 14 points, 12 of which came in the 2nd quarter, while Young scored 12 in the 3rd.
The Hawks struggled defensively against the Nuggets, giving up 139 points on 56% shooting. Atlanta allowed 40 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, while Denver scored 34 in the 2nd. The Hawks limited the Nuggets to 24 points in the 4th, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.
From beyond the arc, the Hawks allowed 12 threes at a 40% clip. Denver also went 21/21 from the free-throw line. Atlanta finished with 32 defensive rebounds, giving up 4 offensive boards, and recorded 10 steals and 5 blocks.
Can the Lakers Secure a Win at Home?
The Lakers improved to 19-14 on the season with a 114-106 win over the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as 7-point favorites and covered the spread with the 8-point victory. The total score of 220 points fell just short of the 225-point over/under line.
After trailing 31-27 at the end of the 1st quarter, the Lakers took control by outscoring Portland 33-20 in the 2nd quarter. They extended their lead to 88-75 going into the 4th quarter, where they held off a late push from the Blazers, who outscored them 31-26 in the final period.
LeBron James hit 7 threes at a 70% clip, finishing with 38 points and 8 assists in the Lakers’ win over the Trail Blazers. He was especially effective in the 2nd and 4th quarters, scoring 14 and 11 points respectively. Max Christie also had a big game, knocking down 5 threes and adding 28 points, including 12 in the 2nd quarter.
As a team, the Lakers made 15 threes, shooting 34.9% from beyond the arc and 45.7% overall. Austin Reaves contributed 15 points and 11 assists, despite shooting just 33.3% from the field.
Despite allowing 31 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, the Lakers tightened up defensively in the 2nd and 3rd, giving up just 20 and 24 points, respectively, to hold the Trail Blazers to 106 points. Los Angeles managed this while Portland shot 50% from the field.
The Lakers did a solid job defending the three, holding the Blazers to 9 made threes on 34% shooting. They also sent Portland to the line 21 times, where they hit 17 free throws. Los Angeles finished with 28 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 3 blocks.