The Washington Wizards (12-18), 4.5-point favorites, will be at State Farm Arena to meet the Atlanta Hawks (6-23) in a Southeast Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 235 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks Betting Odds
The last time the Wizards played, they thoroughly outplayed the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-110, as 3.5-point underdogs. The Hawks, meanwhile, were topped by the Brooklyn Nets, 144-127, and failed to cover as 7.5-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Washington game went 6.5 points over the projected point total of 231.5, while the Atlanta game finished 45.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5.
Washington dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 30.0 (above their season average of 19.4) and a turnover percentage of 13.3 (worse than their season average of 11.7). For those same stats, Los Angeles was 18.2 and 18.2, respectively. Atlanta, meanwhile, was lights out from beyond the arc (14-29; 48.3 percent). Dewayne Dedmon had a solid outing for Atlanta with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Washington received a boost from John Wall, who had 40 points, 14 assists and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Bradley Beal led the Wizards to a 131-117 win. He scored a game-high 36 points. The two teams combined for 248 points, which was well over the projected point total of 228, and Washington covered as a 3.5-point favorite. The Wizards’ 25.5 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Hawks, who had a rate of 17.8.
Of the Wizards’ 30 games, 19 have finished over the total. Washington comes into the contest with records of 12-18 straight up (SU) and 11-18-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Hawks also tend to finish over the O/U total (58.6 percent). Moreover, Atlanta owns records of 6-23 SU and 11-18 ATS.
John Collins and Kent Bazemore have been playing well over the last five games for Atlanta. Collins has averaged 22 points,13.6 rebounds, while Bazemore has put up 13 points,4.6 assists,2.2 steals a game during that span.
It could be a sloppy game for the Atlanta offense. Atlanta ranks 30th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 16.7 percent), while the disruptive defense of Washington forces the seventh-most turnovers in the NBA (15.2 percent).
Wizards at Hawks Free Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Wizards, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hawks rank 21 in rebounds per game (43.44827586206897) while the Wizards rank 29 in rebounds allowed per game (48.36666666666667).
- Washington ranks seventh in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while Atlanta ranks last in points off turnovers allowed per game (23.1).
- The Wizards average 32.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Hawks rank 29th in three pointers allowed per game (34.4).
- Washington ranks 12th in assists per game (24.7) while Atlanta ranks last in assists allowed per game (27.7).
- Atlanta ranks 8 in points in the paint per game (50.41379310344828) while Washington ranks 16 in points allowed in the paint per game (48.86666666666667).
- The Wizards average 8.5 steals per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Hawks rank 29th in steals allowed per game (10.6).
- The Wizards average 5.7 blocks per game, which ranks 6 in the NBA. The Hawks rank 20 in blocks allowed per game (5.448275862068965).
- Atlanta averages 12.586206896551724 second chance points per game, which ranks 19 in the league. Washington ranks 26 in second chance points allowed per game (14.966666666666667).
- Atlanta averages 17.9 fast break points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. Washington ranks 25th in fast break points allowed per game (15.1).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Washington is 3-0 and Atlanta is 1-2.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Wizards are 12-16 and the Hawks are 6-17.
- Atlanta is 4-9 ATS at home, while Washington is 4-12 ATS on the road.
- Of the Wizards’ 16 road games, they have 9 overs and 7 unders.
- In 13 home games, the Hawks have 8 overs and 5 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Hawks are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Wizards are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Atlanta has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Washington has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Hawks\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.2, down from 10.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 114.6 points per game (1.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.0 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
