The Utah Jazz will look to expand on a surprising two-game winning streak as they host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
Atlanta has lost three straight and is dealing with some injury issues, which is why I’ll be taking Utah to cover in my Hawks vs. Jazz predictions.
Read on for full analysis and a complete slate of bets in my free NBA picks for Tuesday, January 7.
Hawks vs Jazz prediction
My best bet
Jazz +6.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Atlanta Hawks are back down to .500 on the year following their three-game losing streak. Injuries have shortened the lineup for Atlanta as of late, with Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic both missing Saturday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Johnson will miss tonight’s game as well, while Bogdanovic remains day-to-day. That doesn’t exactly leave Atlanta short of scoring options – Trae Young (22.5 ppg) and De'Andre Hunter (19.8 ppg) are both capable of leading the offense – but it will make it harder for the Hawks to take advantage of what looks to be an improving Utah Jazz defense.
The Jazz have allowed 118.4 ppg on the year, and are allowing opponents to shoot 47.8% from the floor, numbers that have contributed greatly to Utah’s 9-25 record. But the defense has looked at least reasonably capable over the last two weeks, holding three opponents to 100 points or less and allowing an average of just 112.1 ppg over the past eight games.
Meanwhile, Utah’s offense has also come to life during its two-game winning streak, with most of the scoring coming from an unlikely source. Former Ohio State star Brice Sensabaugh had the two best games of his NBA career over the weekend, scoring 34 and 27 points respectively in the two wins.
But even if that’s just a short-term burst, the Jazz do have plenty of young talent that can compete on a night-to-night basis, and who appear to be improving as the season progresses. Lauri Markkanen (19.3 ppg) is a solid seven-footer who can spread the floor, while John Collins (17.9 ppg) and Collin Sexton (17.7 ppg) are steady contributors. Meanwhile, young center Walker Kessler is averaging a double-double, with 10.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
The Jazz did see Markkanen, Collins, and Keyonte George all sit on Sunday for the second half of a back-to-back, but since all three played on Saturday, I expect them back in the lineup tonight. And even when those players sat, Utah was able to score a 105-92 road win over a depleted but dangerous Orlando Magic team.
With a struggling Heat squad coming into town, Utah should be able to put up another solid performance, and shouldn’t be getting this many points at home. I’m taking the Jazz to cover.
Hawks vs Jazz same-game parlay
Jazz +6.5
Over 238.5
Lauri Markkanen Under 25.5 points
The Jazz have been playing well enough to put up a strong performance against the Hawks at home, especially with their biggest star back in the lineup. For my same-game parlay, I’m combining a bet on Utah to cover the 6.5-point spread with a wager on the Under. Both teams typically play Under tonight’s listed total, and we have seen Utah play a lower-scoring brand of basketball as of late.
Sensabaugh has been the start of the last two wins for the Jazz, and if he plays tonight – he is questionable with an illness – he’ll get more opportunities to score even with a more complete Utah lineup on the court. With that in mind, I’m taking the Under on Lauri Markkanen’s point total. Markkanen hasn’t gone Over 25.5 points in any of his last five games, and may still be somewhat limited due to back spasms.
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Hawks vs Jazz odds
Hawks vs Jazz live odds
Hawks vs Jazz opening odds
- Spread: Atlanta -6.5 | Utah +6.5
- Moneyline: Atlanta -250 | Utah +205
- Over/Under: Over 239 | Under 239
Odds courtesy of bet365
Hawks vs Jazz spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Jazz are an even 17-17 against the spread this season, with the Hawks posting a 15-21 ATS mark on the year.
- Utah is 6-2 ATS in its last eight meetings with Atlanta.
- The Over has a 23-12-1 record in Atlanta’s games this season, and also has the 19-15 edge when Utah has played.
- The Hawks have played to an average total of 236.8 ppg this season, while the Jazz are averaging a total of 229.7 ppg.
Hawks vs Jazz trend
The Jazz are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Jazz.
How to watch Hawks vs Jazz
| Location: | Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT |
| Date: | Tuesday, 1-7-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | KJZZ, FanDuel Sports Network - Southeast - Atlanta |
Hawks vs Jazz latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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