The Atlanta Hawks will travel to take on the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in the opening game of this year’s NBA Cup for both teams. Atlanta (2-3) will try to build on a road win in their last game, while Indiana (0-4) still searches for its first victory. Before tip-off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, continue reading to get my Hawks vs Pacers prediction.
Our Hawks vs Pacers Pick
- Pick: Under 230.5 total points
- Confidence: ★★★☆☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers
- Date & Time: Friday, October 31, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
- The Hawks come off a 117-112 road victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Atlanta was led by a 23-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist effort from Jalen Johnson and 17 points from Luke Kennard. They improved to 2-3 and have a chance to get back to .500 with a win over the winless Pacers.
- Indiana is still winless this season at 0-4. They most recently fell 107-105 to the Dallas Mavericks, despite 27 points and 13 boards from Pascal Siakam. Siakam needs some help if his team is going to start winning games anytime soon.
- Injuries are a major concern for both teams entering this game. Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young is listed as out with a knee injury, which significantly impacts Atlanta’s offense. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season with an Achilles injury. Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Obi Toppin are also out for the Pacers.
- Both teams are struggling defensively this season. Atlanta ranks 23rd in points per game allowed and 24th in point differential. Indiana is similarly near the bottom of the league in its defensive efficiency.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first of three meetings scheduled between these teams this season.
- Atlanta is 1-4 against the spread to start this season.
- Indiana is 3-1 against the spread despite their 0-4 straight up record.
- Atlanta has stayed under the total in two of its first three games.
- Indiana has stayed under the total in three of its first four games.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers) | Under 26.5 Points |
| Aaron Nesmith (Indiana Pacers) | Over 15.5 Points |
| Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks) | Over 20.5 Points |
| Kristaps Porziņģis (Atlanta Hawks) | Under 18.5 Points |
Hawks vs Pacers Model Projection
Score Projection: Atlanta Hawks 114 – Indiana Pacers 112
Win Probability: Hawks 56% | Pacers 44%
Final Thoughts
I have no desire to back either of these teams given their current injury issues. Instead, I think that the under is the best bet for this game. We should see some role players have big games, but the lack of stars like Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton will hurt the scoring output in this one. I’ll go with the under in what should be a low-scoring but competitive game in the NBA Cup.
