The Atlanta Hawks (18-42) will be at home in Philips Arena when they clash with the Los Angeles Lakers (25-34). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 223.5 points with Los Angeles opening as a 2.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 26, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast.
Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks ATS Preview
The Lakers were victorious over the Sacramento Kings in their last game, 113-108. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the top scorer from either team with 34 points on 12-for-20 shooting. Los Angeles dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.154 (matching their season average) and a turnover percentage of 9.1 (better than their season average of 13.5). Sacramento had marks of 0.117 and 9.8, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Hawks’ last game, they were defeated by the Indiana Pacers, 116-93. Isaiah Taylor was Atlanta’s leading scorer with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Indiana had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.6 (above their season average of 21.9). Atlanta, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.146 vs. 0.109).
It could be a sloppy game for the Los Angeles offense. Los Angeles ranks 26th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.9 percent), while the pesky defense of Atlanta forces the second-most turnovers in the league (15.3 percent).
Of Los Angeles’ 59 games, 32 have finished over the O/U total, while 31 of Atlanta’s 60 games have finished under the projected point total. The Lakers have the better straight up (SU) record (25-34 vs. 18-42), but both teams have similar against the spread (ATS) records. Los Angeles is 32-27 ATS, while Atlanta is 31-27-2 ATS.
Julius Randle has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Los Angeles, averaging 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined for 245 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 215.5. The Lakers won 132-113, covering as 4-point favorites. Los Angeles’ effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Atlanta. The Lakers had a rate of 0.651 while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.500. Despite the loss, Dennis Schroder was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks Odds Prediction
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Lakers rank second in rebounds per game (46.4) while the Hawks rank 26th (40.9).
- Los Angeles ranks 11th in steals per game (8.0) while Atlanta ranks 26th in steals allowed per game (8.6).
- Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.3) while Atlanta ranks 24th (9.7).
- Atlanta ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.1).
- Los Angeles is 15-15 ATS on the road with 16 overs and 14 unders.
- At home, Atlanta is 16-14 ATS with 15 overs, 14 unders and 1 push.
- When allowing under 100 points, Atlanta is 9-4 and Los Angeles is 11-3.
- The Hawks are 16-23 when they reach 100 points, while the Lakers are 22-21.
- The Lakers average 23.7 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Hawks rank 28th in assists allowed per game (25.8).
- Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (53.4) while Atlanta ranks 28th (40.5).
- The Hawks rank third in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while the Lakers rank 29th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.0).
- The Lakers rank 13th in blocks per game (4.8) while the Hawks rank 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
- Los Angeles ranks second in second chance points per game (14.6) while Atlanta ranks 26th in second chance points allowed per game (13.3).
Bettings Trends:
- Atlanta is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs.
- The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 9.4, up from 4.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 117.6 points per game (10.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.6 points per game (9.6 above their season average).