Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (2-3)
October 29, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Hawks -1.5; Over/Under: 239.5
(Get latest betting odds)
Hawks vs Cavaliers Prediction
With both teams at the end of a back-to-back, I have to lean toward the Hawks at home. Unlike the Cavs, the Hawks don’t have to travel for this game. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, the Cavaliers don’t cover numbers, and that includes being 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games. The Cavs are 1-3 ATS on the season, while the Hawks at least have two covers this season.
The home team has also won six straight games between the Hawks and Cavs and eight of the last 10 games overall. The winner of the last 10 games has also covered the spread. The Hawks are also the younger team that relies on its defense, which is key on potentially tired legs. The Cavaliers haven’t covered back-to-back spreads since May of last year. The Cavs simply don’t put money in our pocket and aren’t a team you should be excited to back.
We’re not being asked to lay anything crazy. I’ll side with the Cavs and the cheap price on Thursday night.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Wizards and Timberwolves, and they play the Bucks next. The Cavs have won 14 of their last 18 regular season games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are averaging 119.8 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 117.8 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24.8 points and 5.3 assists, while Evan Mobley is averaging 20 points and 2.8 assists. James Harden is the third double-digit scorer, and Peyton Watson is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The Cleveland Cavaliers are shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 79.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Cleveland Cavaliers are allowing 32.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 47 rebounds per game.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Rockets and Heat, and they play the Pelicans next. The Hawks have won 11 of their last 19 games.
The Atlanta Hawks are averaging 120.2 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 115.2 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Jalen Johnson is averaging 19.6 points and 9.6 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 19.6 points and 3.4 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Wiggins is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The Atlanta Hawks are shooting 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 72.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Atlanta Hawks are allowing 31.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Atlanta Hawks will win
- The home team has won each of the last six games between the Cavaliers and Hawks.
- The Cavaliers have lost nine of their last 10 games at State Farm Arena.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Cavaliers and Hawks.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Hawks have lost each of their last six home games after losing as favorites.
- The Cavaliers have won six of their last seven games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games.
- The road team has covered the spread in five of the Hawks’ last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Cavaliers’ last five games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Hawks’ last seven games have gone OVER the total points line.
