The Los Angeles Lakers (23-3) put their six-game winning streak on the line when they go head-to-head with the Atlanta Hawks (6-20) at State Farm Arena. The game gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 15, 2019.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 226.5 points with Los Angeles set as a 12-point favorite.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks Free Prediction
The last time the Lakers played, they topped the Miami Heat, 113-110, but they were not able to cover as 5.5-point favorites. The game’s combined points (223) were over the O/U total of 211.5. Los Angeles out-rebounded Miami. The Lakers had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. five), defensive rebounds (36 vs. 29) and total rebounds (50 vs. 34). Los Angeles was lifted by Anthony Davis, who was the game’s high scorer with 33 points on 11-for-20 shooting.
The Hawks fell to the Indiana Pacers in their last outing, 110-100. They were unable to cover as 6-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (210) were well under the projected point total of 225. Indiana’s 0.538 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Atlanta, who had a mark of 0.447. The Pacers’ mark was above their season average of 0.523, while the Hawks’ was below their season average of 0.516. With 23 points on 9-for-30 shooting, Trae Young was the top scorer from either team.
Atlanta might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they battle against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Los Angeles ranks third in defensive efficiency while the Hawks rank 27th in offensive efficiency.
Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 23-3 straight up (SU) and 16-10 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Lakers’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Atlanta is 6-20 SU and 11-15 ATS. Hawks games tend to go over the O/U total (57.7 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. LeBron James scored a game-high 33 points in the first game, in which the Lakers defeated the Hawks 122-101, covering as 14.5-point favorites. He also recorded 12 assists and seven rebounds. The game finished with a total of 223 points, which was just 2.5 points above the projected point total of 220.5 points. The Lakers had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.612 vs. 0.477) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (26.3 vs. 22.0).
Lakers at Hawks Pick
NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Los Angeles averages 53.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks second in the league. Atlanta ranks 27th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.8).
Los Angeles averages 26.4 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Atlanta ranks 22nd in assists allowed per game (25.1).
The Lakers rank 12th in rebounds per game (45.5) while the Hawks rank 27th (42.1).
Los Angeles is 8-6 ATS on the road, while Atlanta is 6-6 ATS at home.
Over its last five contests, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.4, up from 9.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 112.6 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 123.6 points per game (5.2 above their season average).
