Atlanta Hawks (18-16) vs. LA Lakers (18-14)
January 3, 2025 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: LA Lakers -3.5; Over/Under: +232.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers duke it out at the crypto.com Arena on Friday night. Here’s a LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction. This article will include an LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Pick.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have been in decent shape as they were riding a four-game win streak before they got stopped in their tracks by the Nuggets in a 139-120 road defeat on Wednesday. Trae Young led the team with 30 points and nine assists, De’Andre Hunter added 20 points off the bench, while Zaccharie Risacher chipped in with 13 points.
As a team, the Hawks shot 45 percent from the field and 16 of 46 from the 3-point line. The Hawks had no answers for the Nuggets on the defensive end, as they allowed 40 points in the first quarter and another 41 points in the third quarter.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall. The Lakers will be hoping to keep it going after taking down the Trail Blazers in a 114-106 home win last night. LeBron James drained seven 3-pointers to lead the team with 38 points and eight assists. Max Christie added 28 points on nine of 16 shooting while Austin Reaves chipped in with 15 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists but no other player scored more than eight points.
As a team, the Lakers shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 43 from the 3-point line. The Lakers took control of the contest with a 33-point burst in the second quarter to build a 15-point lead, before James carried the team over the line in the final possessions to secure the solid home win. The Lakers will play against the Rockets following this one.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last seven night games against the Hawks at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Hawks have lost eight of their last nine road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last four night games against the Hawks at Crypto.com Arena.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four night games against Lakers teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the last seven games between the Hawks and Lakers has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Hawks’ last six night games on the first leg of a back-to-back has gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 30th in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (27.3%).
- The Lakers rank 28th in the league for rebounds per game this season (41.3).
- The Hawks rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.3%).
- The Hawks rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (15.6).
LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction
The Hawks are still shorthanded, with Jalen Johnson and Trae Young both listed as questionable for this one. The Lakers are still keeping an eye on Anthony Davis, who sat out last night’s game with an ankle injury. This is one of those games where you need to check the lineups before tipoff. Assuming that both teams are missing players, I am more comfortable going with the Lakers to get the job done at home despite playing on zero days’ rest. I’ll lay the bucket with the Lakers at home.
