The Atlanta Hawks are set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. This matchup presents a compelling opportunity for analysis as the Hawks (26-30) look to extend their dominance over the 76ers (30-24) in their three-game series this season, where Atlanta currently leads 2-0.
In their last encounter, the Hawks secured a close victory at home, winning 120-117 on December 14, successfully covering as 4.5-point underdogs. The first matchup of the season was even more thrilling, featuring a double-overtime win for the Hawks, 142-132, on November 30.
As the Hawks emerge from the All-Star break, they are hoping to halt a three-game losing streak, with their most recent defeat coming at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets, where they succumbed 110-107 despite being favored by 2.5 points. Meanwhile, the 76ers are reeling from a staggering loss to the New York Knicks, where they were crushed 138-89, failing to cover the spread as 2.5-point favorites.
BetMGM Sportsbook has set the odds for the matchup, with the Hawks sitting at +100 on the moneyline, while the 76ers are listed at -120. Against the spread, the Hawks are +1.5 (-118) and the 76ers are -1.5 (-102). The over/under has been established at 237.5.
In terms of injuries, the Hawks will be without Jonathan Kuminga due to a knee injury. The 76ers will miss key player Joel Embiid, who is out with a knee injury, creating a significant challenge for Philadelphia’s chances against Atlanta.
Given the Hawks’ success in their previous meetups and the absence of Embiid, predictions skew in favor of Atlanta. The prediction suggests a score of Hawks 115, 76ers 112, making a bet on the Hawks at +100 a compelling option. The 76ers have struggled against the spread recently, failing to cover in three of their last four games.
In this matchup, betting on the under at 237.5 is advisable; both teams have had mixed results on the over/under in their previous ten games, and Philadelphia’s performance without Embiid raises concerns about scoring potential.
With a chance to rebound and take advantage of their recent head-to-head success, the Atlanta Hawks could find themselves in a favorable position against the 76ers.