The Denver Nuggets (17-8) will travel to State Farm Arena to take on the Atlanta Hawks (5-20). The Hawks opened as 7.5-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 223.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 8, 2018.
Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last outing. The Hawks (3.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Washington Wizards, 131-117, while the Nuggets (4.5-point favorites) fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 113-107. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Atlanta game went 20 points over the projected point total of 228, while the Denver game finished 13.5 points over the projected point total of 206.5.
Denver had an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.4 (above their season average of 27.1) while Atlanta had a better effective field goal percentage (0.511 vs. 0.547). Atlanta’s John Collins played well, recording 26 points and 14 rebounds. Nikola Jokic played a pivotal role for Denver with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
In their first matchup this year, Paul Millsap led the Nuggets to a 138-93 victory. He produced 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Denver covered as a 14-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 231 points, which was over the projected point total of 223. Denver launched 31 three pointers, making 13 of them (41.9 percent). Atlanta was, on the other hand, 9-42 (21.4 percent).
Nuggets games have a tendency to finish under the total (62.5 percent). Denver holds records of 17-8 straight up (SU) and 15-9 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Denver, Hawks games have a tendency to go over the total (60.0 percent). Further, Atlanta is 5-20 SU and 9-16 ATS.
The Nuggets’ Juancho Hernangomez has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 13 points,6.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Collins has averaged 18 points,9.4 rebounds during that same time frame for the Hawks.
This game should be a showdown of conflicting paces. Atlanta prefers a fast-paced style of play (first in possessions per game), while Denver is more half-court-oriented (25th in possessions per game).
Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks ATS Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hawks rank 4 in three pointers attempted per game (35.4) while the Nuggets rank 19 (29.6).
- Denver averages 15.7 second chance points per game, which ranks third in the league. Atlanta ranks last in second chance points allowed per game (15.9).
- The Nuggets rank seventh in fast break points allowed per game (11.6) while the Hawks rank 29th (16.5).
- Denver averages 8.4 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Atlanta ranks 27th in steals allowed per game (10.3).
- Denver ranks 12 in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.52) while Atlanta ranks last (22.8).
- The Nuggets rank first in rebounds allowed per game (41.8) while the Hawks rank 28th (47.7).
- The Hawks average 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks 7 in the NBA. The Nuggets rank 25 in blocks allowed per game (5.84).
- Denver ranks 5 in points in the paint per game (52.88) while Atlanta ranks 11 in points allowed in the paint per game (47.2).
- Denver averages 27.0 assists per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Atlanta ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (27.7).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Atlanta is 0-2 and Denver is 9-1.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Nuggets are 17-5 and the Hawks are 5-14.
- Atlanta is 3-9 ATS at home, while Denver is 7-5 ATS on the road.
- The Nuggets have 8 unders and 4 overs in 12 road games.
- In 12 home games, the Hawks have 8 overs and 4 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Nuggets are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Hawks are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Denver has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Atlanta has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 113.4 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.2 points per game (2.4 above their season average).
- The Hawks\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.6, up from 11.0 for the season.
