We’re heading into Week 2 of the 2020-21 NBA season, and Monday’s slate brings five interesting matchups to the sports bettors, so here’s my best betting pick for the Eastern Conference showdown at State Farm Arena in Atlanta where the Hawks welcome the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit has dominated Atlanta lately, winning eight of their last 11 encounters including the previous two. However, the Pistons opened the season with a couple of losses and are 7.5-point underdogs for Monday’s clash on Sugarhouse.
The Pistons dropped their first home game in double overtime
After a 111-101 defeat at the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opener, the Detroit Pistons lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 128-119 in double overtime this past Saturday. They had a 101-93 lead down the stretch but failed to score a single basket in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter.
Jerami Grant finished the game with a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds. Blake Griffin had 26 points, shooting 8-for-16 from beyond the arc, but both these guys disappeared when it mattered the most.
The Pistons have lost 14 of their last 15 games overall and are riding a seven-game losing streak. They are winless in four straight road tilts, too, and are 1-11 straight up over their previous 12 showings away from home.
The Hawks outlasted the Grizzlies on the back of another Trae Young’s strong performance
The Atlanta Hawks are 2-0 on the season following a 122-112 victory at the Memphis Grizzlies last Saturday. After scoring 37 points against the Chicago Bulls in the opener, Trae Young dropped 36 on the Grizzlies despite shooting just 1-for-7 from behind the 3-point line.
Young was a key factor down the stretch with eight straight points. The Hawks outscored the Grizzlies 35-24 in the fourth quarter and fully deserved to win as 2-point road dogs.
The Hawks are still without Clint Capela (Achilles), while John Collins has averaged only 13.5 points and 7.0 boards through the first two games. Atlanta has won nine of its last 13 home games and is 6-2 straight up and 4-2-2 ATS in its previous eight showings at home as a fave.
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”nba/hawks” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]Trends:
Detroit:
- 0-4 ATS in the last four games overall
- 1-9 ATS in the last ten games played in December
Atlanta:
- 10-5-1 ATS in the last 16 outings at home
The Winner Prediction
The Nuggets opened as 8.5-point favorites on DraftKings which was expected considering the Rockets’ problems with the COVID-19. Denver is only 3-8 SU and ATS in its last 11 encounters with the Rockets, but the Nuggets are 3-0 SU and ATS in their previous three home matchups with Houston.
This is an excellent opportunity for the Nuggets to finally break out of their funk. They just have to beat the short-handed Rockets on the home court, so I’m backing the Nuggets to win and cover. The spread is a tricky one, but the Nuggets should be fired up to prove their worth after a couple of disappointing displays in the opening week.
Pick: Take Atlanta Hawks -7.5 at -110
The Total:
The over is 15-3-1 in Atlanta’s last 19 home contests. Still, their first games this term went in the under, as well as five of their previous seven tilts overall. On the other side, the over is 5-3 in Detroit’s last eight games overall (1-1 this season), while the under is 6-3-1 in the Pistons’ previous ten showings on the road.
The Hawks look like a much better defensive team than they were last season. The Pistons continue to struggle offensively, so I’m backing the under on the totals. Detroit barely scored 101 points against Minnesota and did exactly the same in 48 minutes against Cleveland.
Pick: Go under 226.5 points at -110