NBA: Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets head for Atlanta to meet the fired Hawks. The home side is in excellent shape, and they are improving their form before the start of the play-in tournament. These two teams have the same record, and we could easily see them in the tournament’s opening round, which makes this event very important. The home-court advantage is at stake, therefore, both sides have enough motive to win.

Preview

Brooklyn Nets (40-37, -115) play hot and cold in recent times, posting subsequent wins and losses. They had three games at home in a row, beating the losing to the Hornets and the Bucks, and in the meantime, defeating the sorry Pistons. The latest clash was vs. Bucks, and that one saw OT and Milwaukee’s triumph, 120-119.

The Nets had a chance to close this one but failed to rebuff the rivals’ last push. Giannis went turbo in the closing moments and Brooklyn narrowly lost. The biggest problem for Steve Nash’s unit was the control of the glass, with the guests having 57 boards, and the Nets 41.

Kevin Durant scored 26 points and had 11 assists with six boards, while Kyrie had one bucket fewer with five assists. Bruce Brown was very good, with 23 points in 34 minutes. Seth Curry added 16.

Atlanta Hawks (40-37, +105) have four straight victories, and may we say that Nate McMillan woke up his crew in the best possible moment. The battles for the postseason are finishing and the Hawks are playing their best game of the year.

After beating the Warriors at home, the Hawks were better than the Pacers and the Thunder on the road, before taking down the Cavs also at home, 131-107. It was a furious performance of the hosts, who didn’t show any mercy towards the franchise from Ohio. Whether was because of something from the past or some other reason, we don’t know, but the Hawks were sharp throughout all 48 minutes.

Trae Had 30 points and nine assists, Kevin Huerter scored 23, while Onyeka Okongwu added 17 off the bench with 12 rebounds as well. Bogdan Bogdanovic dropped 11 also off the bench, while Luwawu-Cabarrot and Clint Capela had 12 points each, noting that Capela grabbed 14 rebounds and was a force under the rim.

Head to Head Games

This is the third time that the Nets and the Hawks meet in the 2021/22 year. The previous two events both saw the Nets winning. The first was at Barclays Center, where the host posted a 117-108 triumph, The other was at the State Farm Arena, and the outcome was the same, only the result was slightly different, 113-105.

Prediction

Like against the Bucks, this Nets’ event will also end under. The current line is set at 242.5 points, which is too high, regardless of the offensive potential on both ends. This game carries a high significance, and that is why we expect to see a bit tougher defenses on both ends. Also, the line is a bit higher than usual, and that is yet another reason why we suggest betting on under. The odds are -110, which is a standard in these cases.

Pick: Under 242.5 points