bet365 NBA Odds, Betting Preview: Hawks Vs. Raptors (Dec. 15)

The Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors will clash for the second time this week on Friday at Scotiabank Arena.

On Wednesday, the Raptors pulled out a 135-128 victory over the Hawks on their home floor in a game that was an old-fashioned shootout. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Toronto and extended Atlanta’s losing skid to five consecutive games.

After Friday’s clash, the two teams will meet twice more this season in Atlanta on Jan. 28 and Feb. 23, respectively.

Let’s take a closer look at this matchup using bet365‘s odds as a baseline.

Hawks vs. Raptors odds

Hawks Moneyline Odds	+110
Raptors Moneyline Odds	-130
Over/Under	242.5 points (over -110, under -110)
Spread	Raptors -2 (-110)
Time/Date	Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV	Broadcast: TSN Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?)

All odds courtesy of

About the Hawks (9-14 SU, 5-18 ATS, 15-8 o/u)

This Hawks team can’t defend anyone, literally. They’re allowing a whopping 123.3 points per game this season, the third-worst mark in the NBA behind the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. Opponents are shooting 50.2% from the field against them and 38.3% from long range. Interestingly, the team leads the league in steals, though, averaging 8.8 per game.

The Hawks allowed the Raptors to shoot 57% from the field and 53% from three-point range on Wednesday, as Toronto scored at least 31 points in each quarter. Offensively, the Hawks were led by Trae Young, who turned in an impressive 35-point, 17-assist performance in a losing cause. It was Young’s fifth career outing with at least 35 points and 15 assists, tying him with LeBron James for the
fifth-most such games in NBA history.

About the Raptors (10-14 SU, 12-12 ATS, 13-11 o/u)

The Raptors really needed to secure a win against the Hawks on Wednesday to stop the bleeding, but now that they have, the team must find a way to string together back-to-back wins for the first time since late November. If the Raptors continue to limp along over the next several weeks without a prolonged winning streak, trade rumours will only intensify. In fact, the Hawks are already rumoured to be a logical landing spot for Pascal Siakam, who will be a free agent this summer.

Defensively, the Raptors have been a mess over the last five games, allowing opponents to score an average of 122.8 points. The recent collapse has sent the team’s defensive rating (114.6) into a nosedive, which now ranks 18th in the NBA. Toronto has prided itself on having big, mobile bodies in its starting lineup, but you have to wonder how much longer this experiment will last?

One bright spot for the Raptors has been the recent play of Siakam, who is averaging 25.8 points while shooting 60.3% from the field and 50% from long range in five games this month.

Injury concerns

For the Hawks, Kobe Bufkin (thumb) and AJ Griffin (personal) are out. De’Andre Hunter (knee) is questionable.

For the Raptors, Christian Koloko (respiratory illness) is still out.

Betting trends

• The Hawks have played over the total in five of their last six games.
• The Raptors are 4-1 SU and 4-1 ATS in their past five meetings at home against the Hawks.
• The Hawks are 5-18 ATS this season, the worst team in the NBA at covering the spread.
• Toronto has played over the total in four of its last five games.

Player prop trends

• Hawks centre Clint Capela has recorded at least one assist in six straight games, averaging 1.83 during that span. He’s a steep -210 to record over 0.5 dimes, but this could be a useful leg of a parlay.
• Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby has been helping on the glass, snatching at least five rebounds in four of his last five games, including on Wednesday against the Hawks. He’s -115 to haul in over 4.5 boards.
• Scottie Barnes has been firing more from long range recently, averaging 6.4 attempts from deep this month. He has recorded a trio of three-pointers in each of his last three games and is +155 to drain over 2.5.
• Dennis Schroder has a steal in three straight games and in 14 of his last 20 contests. He’s a steep -210 to record over 0.5 steals.

Wagers to consider

• Both teams should attempt to tighten things up defensively after Wednesday’s shootout, but that didn’t stop oddsmakers from raising the total from 240.5 points on Wednesday to 242.5 points for this rematch. Take a look at the under (-110) as both coaches look to make adjustments to slow each other down in a more methodical and calculated rematch two nights later.
• Capela double-double: -120. The big man scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on Wednesday against the Raptors to accomplish the feat and he should be poised for another solid game. He’s averaging 13 points and 12.6 rebounds per game this month and 11.2 points and 10.3 rebounds this season.