The Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks will meet in an inter-conference NBA matchup on Saturday night. Los Angeles is banged up but playing well of late, while Atlanta is at a rest disadvantage and without one of their top stars. Before tip-off from Atlanta, continue reading to get my Lakers vs Hawks prediction for Saturday night.
Our Lakers vs Hawks Pick
Pick: Lakers -3.5
Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers @ Atlanta Hawks
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 8, 2025, 8:00 PM ET
- Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
- Broadcast: NBA TV
Key Storylines
The Lakers come into this game with a 7-2 record and an unblemished 4-0 road record to start the season. LeBron James remains sidelined with sciatica and Austin Reaves is listed as out for this contest, which raises some questions about the team’s ability to score around Luka Doncic. But the Lakers are well-rested against an opponent that is playing on the second game of a back-to-back.
The Hawks are 4-5 overall and just 1-2 at home. They are coming off a loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday and have the added burden of playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Their star guard Trae Young remains out with a sprained MCL to make matters tougher for them. Players such as Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Nickeil Alexander‑Walker will need to step up significantly in his absence.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first meeting between the Lakers and Hawks this season. They will play twice in the regular season.
- The Lakers are 7-2 against the spread so far this season.
- Atlanta is 3-6 against the spread going into this matchup.
- The over has cashed in eight of the Lakers’ first nine games.
- Atlanta has gone under the total in five of their first nine outings.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | Triple-double |
| Jalen Johnson | Over 20.5 points |
| Kristaps Porziņģis | Over 6.5 rebounds |
Lakers vs Hawks Model Projection
Score Projection: Lakers 117 – Hawks 111
Win Probability: Lakers 60%, Hawks 40%
Final Thoughts
Both teams have some major injury issues to deal with here. But I think that the Lakers are the best equipped to overcome that adversity today. The Lakers have a significant rest advantage going into this game and they should take advantage of that while Doncic carries the load for them offensively. I’ll lay the points with the Lakers on the road on Saturday night.
