Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle | Staff Writer

The Atlanta Hawks (23-29) welcome the Houston Rockets (23-28) to State Farm Arena Saturday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Rockets vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Hawks lead 1-0.

The Hawks beat the Rockets 134-127 on the road Dec. 20, covering as a 2.5-point underdog. They are coming off a 127-121 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, closing as a 3.5-point favorite. Atlanta has covered 5 of its last 6 games yet is just 16-36 against the spread (ATS) on the season. It is led by G Trae Young, who is averaging 27.3 points per game.

The Rockets lost to the Toronto Raptors on the road Friday, failing to cover as a 2.5-point underdog. They are 27-23-1 ATS on the season and 3-3 ATS in their last 6, trading off covering and not in each of those. Houston is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 road games. It is led by C Alperen Sengun, who is averaging 21.3 points per game.

Rockets at Hawks odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 8:15 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rockets +152 (bet $100 to win $152) | Hawks -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +4.5 (-110) | Hawks -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 242.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rockets at Hawks key injuries

Rockets

F Tari Eason (leg) questionable
G Fred VanVleet (thigh) out
F Cam Whitmore (ankle) questionable

Hawks

C Clint Capela (thigh) out
G Wesley Matthews (illness) questionable
G Patty Mills (illness) questionable
G Dejounte Murray (back) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Rockets at Hawks picks and predictions

Prediction

Hawks 125, Rockets 122

Moneyline

PASS.

Houston is the play on the spread, but it hasn't won consistently enough as of late, losing 7 of its last 10, to take as a road underdog. Similarly, the Hawks have been too poor at home to back as a favorite.

Against the spread

BET ROCKETS +4.5 (-110).

The Rockets have lost 4 of their last 5 road games but have lost 3 of those by 4 or fewer. They have been able to hang with opponents lately, and all 3 of those slight road losses came to Eastern Conference teams sitting between 6 of 12 on the standings, which Atlanta has.

In this position, Houston has played well. While the Hawks have covered well as of late, they are still the worst home ATS team in the NBA with a 7-19 ATS record. They are 5-13 ATS as a home favorite.

Considering the trends, back ROCKETS +4.5 (-110).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 242.5 (-110).

The Hawks like to push the tempo, ranked 3rd in pace, and the Rockets have the size advantage. That should mean that Houston gets plenty of 2nd-chance opportunities in a high-tempo game, which should lead to more points on the board.

Houston is 5-4 O/U in its last 9. Atlanta is 30-22 O/U on the season and 7-2 O/U in its last 9. Considering the recent trends, back OVER 242.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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