Southeast Division foes will collide when the Charlotte Hornets (19-27) square off with the Atlanta Hawks (14-33) at Spectrum Center. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 209 points with Charlotte set as a 7-point favorite. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 26, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox Sports Carolina.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Hawks were beaten by the Toronto Raptors in their last contest, 108-93. Atlanta’s John Collins recorded 13 points and 16 rebounds in the game. Toronto had a better free throw rate (0.180 vs. 0.128). Atlanta, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (13.6 vs. 14.5).
In the Hornets last game, they were topped by the New Orleans Pelicans, 101-96. Dwight Howard was the games leading scorer with 22 points on 9-for-16 shooting. New Orleans had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.459). Charlotte, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (22.7 vs. 17.0).
Ball protection could play an integral role in this showdown. Charlotte commits the third-fewest miscues in the league (turnover percentage of 12.6 percent), while the pesky defense of Atlanta forces the most (opponents turnover percentage of 15.8 percent). Furthermore, the Hawks, who rank 21st in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.184), could struggle to get to the line against the Hornets, who rank fifth in opponents FTA rate (0.174).
Of Atlanta’s 47 games, 25 have finished under the O/U total, while 24 of Charlotte’s 46 games have finished under the projected point total. The Hornets hold the clear advantage straight up (SU) (19-27 vs. 14-33), but the Hawks have been better against the spread (ATS) (25-20-2 vs. 18-24-4).
Howard has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Charlotte, averaging 16.0 rebounds, 15.6 points, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 200 points, just under the projected point total of 205. The Hornets won 109-91, covering as 5-point favorites. The Hornets dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 and a superb free throw rate of 0.279. For those same stats, the Hawks were 11.8 and 0.126, respectively. Kemba Walker was the games leading scorer with 26 points.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Hawks, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets rank first in second chance points allowed per game (9.5) while the Hawks rank 22nd (13.2).
- Charlotte ranks 16th in points in the paint per game (43.4) while Atlanta ranks 28th (40.9).
- Atlanta ranks second in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while Charlotte ranks 20th (15.9).
- Atlanta ranks 13th in three pointers attempted per game (29.2) while Charlotte ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (29.9).
- Charlotte is 11-15-1 ATS at home, while Atlanta is 12-9-2 ATS on the road.
- The Hawks have 13 unders and 10 overs in 23 road games.
- The Hornets have 15 unders and 12 overs in 27 home games.
- When allowing less than 100 points, Charlotte is 8-2 and Atlanta is 7-3.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Hawks are 13-18 and the Hornets are 18-11.
- The Hornets rank fifth in fast break points allowed per game (9.6) while the Hawks rank 19th (12.0).
- Charlotte ranks second in rebounds per game (46.7) while Atlanta ranks 25th (41.2).
- The Hawks rank fifth in assists per game (23.7) while the Hornets rank 28th (20.7).
- The Hornets average 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 16th in the league. The Hawks rank 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
- Charlotte ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.6) while Atlanta ranks 23rd (8.4).
Betting Trends:
- Charlotte is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Atlanta is 3-2 ATS with 5 unders.
- The Hornets have outscored opponents by an average of 6.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Charlotte has been defeated by an average of 0.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 98.0 points per game (5.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.6 points per game (6.9 below their season average).
