The Atlanta Hawks play host to the Sacramento Kings at the State Farm Arena on Saturday night. Here’s a Hawks vs. Kings Prediction. This article will include a Hawks vs. Kings Pick.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Atlanta Hawks have been on fire as they’ve won 14 of their last 16 games overall, but they will be looking to bounce back in this spot after having their three-game win streak snapped by the Celtics in a 109-102 road defeat on Friday. Jalen Johnson led the team with 29 points, six rebounds and six assists; CJ McCollum added 21 points while Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in with 20 points and five assists. As a team, the Hawks shot just 39 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and led by as many as 16 points early in the contest, but they allowed the Celtics back into the contest and just couldn’t make their shots down the stretch or challenge at the end. Onyeka Okongwu had a quiet game of just eight points in 38 minutes of action while no bench player scored more than six points.
Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have been in a rut as they’ve dropped four of their last five games overall and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting beaten by the Magic in a 121-117 loss on Thursday. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 33 points, six rebounds and 11 assists on 12 of 24 shooting; Daeqwon Plowden added 23 points on eight of 12 shooting off the bench while Precious Achiuwa and Devin Carter each scored 14 points. As a team, the Kings shot 51 percent from the field and 14 of 33 from the 3-point line as they leaked 39 points in the first quarter to fall behind by 12 points but clawed their way back into the contest and trailed by just one point with 50.8 seconds left in the contest before the Magic escaped.
Why the Atlanta Hawks will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Hawks have won each of their last 11 home games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Kings’ last 13 games at State Farm Arena.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six road games against Hawks teams that held a winning record.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The Hawks have lost three of their last four games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Kings have won three of their last four games as road underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Kings have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games on the first leg of a back-to-back against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Hawks’ last eight Saturday night games has gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Kings’ last six road games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Atlanta Hawks Player Facts
- Jalen Johnson is one of only two qualified players in the league averaging at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker ranks 3rd in the league for fast break points (291) this season.
Sacramento Kings Player Facts
- Maxime Raynaud ranks 5th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (56.7%) this season.
- Malik Monk is one of only 10 players in the league to have recorded 12+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Hawks rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.3).
- The Hawks rank 1st in the league for field goals made per game this season (43.4).
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (10.2).
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (30.0).
Hawks vs Kings Prediction
The Hawks are keeping an eye on Jock Landale, who is day-to-day with a shoulder injury, while the Kings have ruled out Russell Westbrook, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis and Drew Eubanks, with Killian Hayes listed as day-to-day. This is a classic case of two teams heading in opposite directions as the Hawks are soaring while the Kings are struggling to keep their heads above water. These teams last met on Nov 12 and it was the Hawks who won by 133-100 and that was well before they were actually playing good basketball. The Hawks have since been one of the hottest teams and I think they bounce back from their narrow loss to the Celtics with a comfortable win and cover over the slumping Kings.