The Atlanta Hawks pay a visit to the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena on Friday night. Here’s a Hawks vs Raptors prediction.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have been in a real slump as they’ve lost seven of their past eight games and they will be hoping to put a halt to a five-game slide after getting beaten by the Raptors in a 135-128 road loss on Wednesday. Trae Young led the team with 35 points and 17 assists on 13 of 27 shooting, Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 20 points each while Clint Capela chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, the Hawks shot 48 percent from the field and 18 of 41 from the 3-point line as they got off to a flyer with 39 points in the first quarter to take an early 12-point lead, but that didn’t last long as the Raptors made eight straight 3-pointers to start the second half to take the game away from them in flash. The Hawks are 3rd in the Southeast Division with a 9-14 record and have two wins more than the Charlotte Hornets.
Atlanta Hawks Team Facts
- The Hawks have won each of their last seven road games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hawks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Each of the Hawks’ last four road games have gone OVER the total points line.
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Toronto Raptors
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have been struggling also, but they will be feeling much better after snapping a four-game slide with a win over the Hawks on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam led the team with 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Scottie Barnes added 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, OG Anunoby added 22 points on 10 of 13 shooting while Dennis Schroder tallied 17 points with seven assists. As a team, the Raptors shot a sizzling 57 percent from the field and 18 of 34 from the 3-point line as they trailed for most of the first half, before they caught fire with 39 points in the third quarter to earn the much-needed victory at home.
Toronto Raptors Team Facts
- The Raptors have lost each of their last eight night games following a home win.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games following a home win.
- Each of the Raptors’ last four games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Hawks vs Raptors prediction
The Hawks are still shorthanded with AJ Griffin out and De’Andre Hunter listed as questionable, while the Raptors are still playing without Christian Koloko. The Hawks really haven’t been able to get anything going yet this season, but they were looking good on Wednesday before the Raptors starting to make it rain from the 3-point line. The Raptors were somewhat lucky to get the win on Wednesday as they’re not a team known for making 3-pointers, so I’m leaning towards the Hawks to get their revenge as the underdog in this spot.
