The Atlanta Hawks are set to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. With the game scheduled for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off, both teams are looking to improve their standings in the NBA as they head into the matchup with records of 20-22 for the Hawks and 19-22 for the Trail Blazers.
In their last outing, the Hawks were handed a tough defeat by the Los Angeles Lakers, losing 141-116. Despite the setback, Atlanta’s recent performance has shown some promise; they currently stand at 2-1 straight up in their four-game road trip leading up to this game. Notable players for the Hawks include Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who scored 26 points against the Lakers, and recently signed CJ McCollum, who contributed 25 points off the bench.
On the other hand, the Trail Blazers are looking to bounce back after losing to the Golden State Warriors 119-97. They have struggled in their last two games, failing to cover the spread in both instances. Key injuries are impacting Portland, with Deni Avdija ruled out due to back issues and Jerami Grant listed as probable after missing previous games with an Achilles injury.
Historically, the Hawks have struggled against the Blazers, having won only once in their last four matchups, with their last victory in Portland dating back to February 2017. The odds for this game are favoring the Hawks as moderate favorites with a moneyline of -170 and a spread of -3.5. BetMGM Sportsbook also lists the over/under at 231.5, highlighting potential betting opportunities for fans.
As for predictions, the Hawks are expected to narrowly edge out the Trail Blazers, with a predicted score of 120-111. The performance of the Hawks against the spread in recent games suggests they might have an upper hand, but the absence of Avdija for the Blazers could heavily influence the contest. Additionally, bettors might want to consider placing a cautious play on the under, factoring in the recent trending stats.
In a league full of ups and downs, both teams will see this matchup as an opportunity to solidify their positioning and recover some momentum. Fans will be keen to see how the Hawks tackle their historical struggles against Portland and whether the Trail Blazers can regroup from their recent challenges and deliver a strong performance at home.