Categories
NBA

Free Pick: Hawks vs. Raptors NBA Betting Lines and Preview

NBA: Atlanta vs Toronto Prediction

The Toronto Raptors host the Atlanta Hawks at the Air Canada Centre in Ontario on Friday night. The Hawks are riding their longest winning streak in the last 17 seasons, while the Raptors are riding high after adding on of their best players back into the fold.

NBA Odds

Atlanta Hawks (31-8) at Toronto Raptors (26-12)
Date: Friday, January 16, 2014
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Air Canada Centre
City: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NBA Gambling O/U Odds: 206
NBA Gambling Spread: Raptors -1.5
***2014 NBA BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Click here to view… NBA ATS Stats & Expert NBA Betting Insight!

The Hawks currently sit atop the Eastern Conference, with the Raptors 4 1/2 games back of them in third place. Atlanta is just 1 1/2 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the league.

Since Nov. 28, no team has a better record than Atlanta’s 24-2 mark, which is buoyed by 10 consecutive victories, the most the franchise has put together since winning 11 in a row to start the 1997-98 season.

[dfads params=’groups=63742&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

The Hawks’ franchise record is 14-consecutive wins from back in 1993. The team has also been terrific on the road. Since starting the year 1-4 away from home, the Hawks have gone 14-1 on the road.

Guard Jeff Teague has been the catalyst for the team on offense, leading the squad with 17.5 points and 7.2 assists per game. Teague is averaging 20.9 points on 51.7 percent shooting over the course of the team’s winning streak, chipping in 22 points during Wednesday’s 105-91 victory at Boston.

[dfads params=’groups=63727&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Head coach Mike Budenholzer is trying to keep his key players fresh even in the midst of this winning streak. He gave Al Horford and Kyle Korver the night off Wednesday against the Celtics after giving fellow starters Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll the night off in Tuesday’s 105-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

FREE Hawks vs. Raptors Pick:

This figures to be a tightly contested game, but the Raptors have had the Hawks’ number in recent meetings in this series, and with home court advantage on their side on this night, this looks like another game that could go Toronto’s way.

Additionally, both teams have had little trouble hitting the century mark in points when facing off against one another. The Raptors won the first meeting this season on Oct. 29 by a score of 109-102, then won the next on Nov. 26, 126-115.

[dfads params=’groups=63741&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan is averaging 24.2 points on 50.0 percent shooting in his last 11 meetings with the Hawks.

NBA Betting Trends:

  • The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between these teams, and the home side is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
  • The Raptors are 3-0 ATS this season after allowing 85 points or less in their previous game, while the Hawks are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings between these teams.
  • The over is 6-2 in the Hawks’ last eight games against opponents with a winning record, and it is 4-0 in the Raptors’ last four games against opponents with a winning record.
  • The over is 9-4 in the Raptors’ last 13 games played on a Friday, and it is 5-2 in their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.

4* Free play: Raptors -1.5, Over 206

Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.

[dfads params=’groups=64991&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

By Gino Bottero

Gino is new to CappersPicks.com but NOT new to the online gambling industry.He's got an AMAZING knack for discovering hidden gems when it comes to betting on sports. Stick with him as he predicts when a team will have a letdown! Check Gino out for NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB betting articles all season long!