The New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. As both teams prepare for the matchup, recent performance trends reveal a challenging situation for the Pelicans, who have lost eight consecutive games, including a tough 111-103 defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. In that game, forward Trey Murphy III stood out, scoring 42 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a much-needed win. Overall, New Orleans has struggled against the spread, going 1-7 in their last eight games.
On the other side, the Hawks are coming off a 118-100 loss to the Toronto Raptors, where they also failed to cover the spread as a 2.5-point underdog. Despite having seven players score in double figures, the team has found itself inconsistent, holding a 2-4 record in their last six games. However, they have managed to perform better against the spread during that stretch, boasting a 4-2 record.
Looking at the odds from BetMGM Sportsbook, the Hawks are favored significantly with a moneyline of -475, while the Pelicans sit at +360. For those betting against the spread, the line is set at Pelicans +10.5 and Hawks -10.5. The over/under for the game is positioned at 246.5.
In terms of injury updates, the Pelicans will be missing F Saddiq Bey and may be without F Herbert Jones for the game, who is questionable. The Hawks are similarly dealing with concerns as G Trae Young is also listed as questionable.
From a prediction standpoint, analysts forecast a competitive game with the Hawks edging out the Pelicans 121-114. However, they suggest betting on the Pelicans +10.5, considering their performance trends, as Atlanta has struggled to cover as a favorite in recent games. Additionally, given both teams’ offensive struggles, betting on the under at 246.5 also seems reasonable.
This matchup provides a critical opportunity for both teams to recalibrate their strategies as they navigate through the current NBA season, with the Pelicans aiming to break their losing streak and the Hawks seeking to solidify their standing amidst internal challenges.