Having a matchup of Charlotte and Atlanta in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament is a real loss for the NBA. A seven-game series between the two offensive juggernauts could have been an exciting affair for the league. The Hornets, who are seeded 10th, are second in the Eastern Conference by scoring 115.3 points per game.
Atlanta doesn’t lack for scoring punch, ranking third in the Eastern Conference in scoring by averaging 113.9 points per game. Betting stats NBA also show both of these teams didn’t fade late in the season. Both teams fought hard for seeding down the stretch, with the Hawks winning seven of their last 10, while Charlotte closed the season winning its final three games.
Information in betting guides on the NBA’s play-in tournament, which is only in its third year, is short on sample size, but this matchup promises to be a good one for viewers. The two teams split their four meetings during the regular season.
Last games records
Charlotte beat Washington 124-108 April 10 at home. The Hornets are 43-39. Atlanta beat Houston 130-114 on the road April 10. The Hawks are 43-39.
Matchup Information
Hornets at Hawks Betting Analysis
Charlotte Betting Analysis
Making NBA picks on Charlotte would be considerably easier if the Hornets could harness energy on offense to play a respectable brand of defense. Charlotte’s defense gets roasted regularly, conceding 115 points per game, which ranks 27th in the league. The Hornets allow opponents to shoot 36.2 percent from the perimeter, which ranks 22nd.
Offensively, however, Charlotte can play beautiful basketball. The Hornets shoot 36.3 percent from the 3-point line, which ranks eighth in the league. Bizarrely, Charlotte doesn’t shoot well from the free-throw line, ranking 27th in the league by making 74.1 percent of their attempts.
What makes Charlotte so difficult to stop is how many different options the Hornets have who can score. Small forward Miles Bridges leads the team with 20.3 points per game, while point guard LaMelo Ball turns in 20.1 per contest. Shooting guard Terry Rozier also averages just short of 20 points per game, averaging 19.2 per game.
Atlanta Betting Analysis
Sports betting guides show Atlanta is of similar makeup to Charlotte. The Hawks have stretches of poor play on defense, but make up for their struggles by scoring at a torrid pace. Atlanta allows its opponents to shoot 36.4 percent from the 3-point line, which ranks 26th in the league, and 47.1 percent from the field, which ranks 24th in the league.
On offense, the Hawks shoot 37.4 percent from the 3-point line, which ranks second in the league. Atlanta allows its foes to shoot 47 percent from the field, which ranks seventh. Hawks point guard Trae Young has been outstanding this season for Atlanta, scoring 28.4 points and handing out 9.7 assists per game.
Young, who knocks down 3.1 treys per game, is supported by several other strong shooters. Bogdan Bogdanovic makes 2.7 per game, while shooting guard Kevin Huerter makes 2.2. As a team, the Hawks connect on 12.8 3-pointers per game.
Updates
Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Lou Williams is questionable with a back injury. Charlotte small forward Gordon Hayward will be out with a foot injury.
- Charlotte is 45-35-2 against the spread.
- Atlanta is 37-45 against the spread.
- The over is 40-41 in the Hornets’ games this season.
- The over is 43-39 in the Hawks’ games this season.
- Charlottes has covered three straight games against the spread.
- Four of Atlanta’s last five games has gone under the total.
Hornets at Hawks Betting Preview
NBA betting odds has Atlanta as a -4.5 favorite. The Hawks are -182 on the moneyline, while the Hornets are +148.
Hornets at Hawks Betting Prediction
Three of the fourth meetings between the two teams were decided by 10 points or more this season. While Charlotte has made big strides this season, the Hornets don’t have much playoff experience, having last made the playoffs during the 2015-16 season. Atlanta, however, showed last season it was on the rise.
The Hawks upset the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on their way to the Eastern Conference finals. For whatever reason, this Atlanta team has clicked as that group did. If the Hawks can figure out a way to play better defense while maintaining their scoring output, they could cause a lot of headaches for their first-round opponent. In this instance, Atlanta should be able to take down rival Charlotte.
Bet the Hawks -4.5.
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