It will be a battle between Southeast Division opponents when the Atlanta Hawks (19-46) welcome the Charlotte Hornets (22-41) to State Farm Arena. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
Atlanta is a 4-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 225 points at BetMGM.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks Free Prediction
The Hornets come in on a high note after defeating the Houston Rockets in their last contest, 108-99, as 8-point underdogs. The total points for the game (207) were under the projected point total of 218.5. The Hornets knocked down 19 of their 25 free throws (76.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.636 (above their season average of 0.501). Charlotte rallied around Terry Rozier, who was the team’s leading scorer with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
The last time the Hawks played, they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-101. They failed to cover as 6-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (219) were well under the O/U total of 235. Memphis’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Atlanta. The Grizzlies had a rate of 0.563 (above their season average of 0.529), while the Hawks posted a mark of 0.405 (below their season average of 0.514). John Collins had a solid game for Atlanta, leading the team in scoring with 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Trae Young scored a game-high 30 points and the Hawks beat the Hornets 122-107, covering as 1.5-point underdogs. He also recorded nine assists and seven rebounds. The game finished with a total of 229 points, which was 6.5 points above the projected point total of 222.5 points. Atlanta’s 0.582 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Charlotte, who had a mark of 0.461.
Charlotte holds records of 22-41 straight up (SU) and 32-29-2 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Hornets have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (54.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Atlanta is 19-46 SU and 29-35-1 ATS. Of the Hawks’ 65 games, 37 have finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. PJ Washington (16 points,6.0 rebounds) has been great for the Hornets while Kevin Huerter (15 points,5.8 assists,1.2 steals) has contributed greatly to the Hawks.
Conflicting styles will be on display in this contest. Atlanta has preferred to play up-tempo (fourth in possessions per game), while Charlotte has been more methodical (30th in possessions per game).
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks Betting Pick
NBA Tip: ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Charlotte is 18-15 ATS on the road with 17 unders and 16 overs.
At home, Atlanta is 19-12-1 ATS with 18 overs and 14 unders.
Atlanta is 4-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Charlotte is 8-1.
When scoring over 100 points, the Hawks are 19-38 and the Hornets are 17-23.
Charlotte ranks fourth in fast break points allowed per game (11.8) while Atlanta ranks 24th (14.6).
The Hawks average 50.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Hornets rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.5).
Charlotte ranks 13th in second chance points per game (13.3) while Atlanta ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (15.2).
The Hawks rank 12th in blocks per game (5.1) while the Hornets rank 26th (4.1).
Atlanta ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (35.9) while Charlotte ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (34.8).
The Hawks rank 13th in steals per game (7.9) while the Hornets rank 25th (6.5).
Charlotte ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.0) while Atlanta ranks 29th (19.4).
The Hawks average 23.8 assists per game, which ranks 19th in the NBA. The Hornets rank last in assists allowed per game (26.5).
Charlotte ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.0) while Atlanta ranks 28th (47.2).
In its last five outings, Charlotte is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Atlanta is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Hornets have outscored opponents by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Charlotte has been defeated by an average of 7.1 points.
During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 114.2 points per game (3.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.6 points per game (0.4 above their season average).