Hawks vs Lakers Picks and Predictions: L.A. Shows Up Big At Home

The Atlanta Hawks (18-20) are struggling to keep their head above .500, having lost four of their last five amidst a four-game West coast road trip. They picked up a much-needed win against the rolling Kings on Wednesday night to stop the bleeding, and will look to keep the momentum rolling heading into Friday night.

They will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers (17-21), who have strung together a three-game winning streak — a streak that started a week ago with a win over Atlanta on their court.

LeBron James put together two 40+ point performances in the two games he played during that time, and former Hawk Dennis Shroder put together a 32-point performance their last time out to secure a win over the Heat on Wednesday night in Lebron's absence.

Can James add another high-scoring performance amidst a crazy league-wide scoring season and secure a fourth straight win, or will Atlanta get one back on Los Angeles after last week's loss?

Continue reading for our free NBA betting picks and predictions for the Hawks vs Lakers on January 6.

Hawks vs Lakers best odds

Hawks vs Lakers picks and predictions

The Atlanta Hawks have been going through quite a skid since December, having lost ten of their last 15 and four of their last five — only four teams have won less games during that time.

Atlanta has ranked 25th in net rating during that stretch, largely due to selfish play (27th in assist ratio), surprisingly poor rebounding (29th in rebounding rate), and abnormally poor shooting (24th in true shooting percentage).

But that is hopefully in the past, and it will look to build on a win over the Kings on Wednesday night. The entire team chipped in with four players scoring 20+ points (Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, John Collins, and De'Andre Hunter) and with the Hawks shooting 53.6% from the field as a whole.

The effort helped secure the win despite a rare poor performance in defending the perimeter (Atlanta ranks sixth on the year), allowing the Kings to shoot 40% from deep.

On Friday they will not only look to build some momentum, but to avenge a loss from exactly one week ago. The Lakers walked into State Farm Arena and dropped 130 points on the Hawks, with LeBron James putting up a spectacular 47-point performance on 18-for-27 shooting (4 of 6 from three) while racking up ten boards and nine assists.

Thomas Bryant, who has been thrust into the starting lineup in Anthony Davis' absence, scored 19 points while securing 17 boards.

The Lakers have certainly struggled this year as a whole, but there are undeniable parts of their game that are notable despite those results. They rank eighth in the league in defending the perimeter (34.6%) and they love to keep the tempo high (second in pace).

They also are incredibly self-aware of their lack of 3-point shooting talent (26th in 3-point percentage but 28th in three-point attempts) and find other avenues to score (ninth in scoring).

And self-aware is not how many would describe Atlanta this season. Trading away Kevin Huerter in the offseason to avoid the luxury tax has hurt its spacing and 3-point shooting (27th) and the addition of Murray has not led to Young taking any fewer shots or more efficient looks: he is averaging 20.8 shots per game this year compared to 20.3 last year, and has a 47.0% effective field goal percentage to last year's 53.6%.

Quite frankly, L.A. is more cohesive on the year, and the fact that it is underdogs at home for this contest is a bit too rich with that in mind.

My best bet: Lakers moneyline (+105 at DraftKings)

Hawks vs Lakers spread analysis

The Lakers opened as 1.5-point underdogs and have stayed at that number across all shops.

Los Angeles is 16-22 against the spread this season, good for the fifth-worst cover rate on the season. It is better as home underdogs, having gone 5-4 in that split.

It has also successfully covered in three straight and in four of their last five — all as underdogs. And as underdogs of three or fewer points, the Lakers have been stellar: they are 7-1 both straight up and ATS in those games.

The Hawks are 15-22-1 ATS this year, good for the third-worst mark on the season (40.5% cover rate). They have not been favored often on the road, and have gone 2-4 ATS in those games. Their spread record has matched their poor win-loss record as of late, having dropped ten of their last 15.

Hawks vs Lakers Over/Under analysis

The total opened at 242 and has since stayed at that number. Tonight's total is by far the largest on the slate, five points higher than the next.

Los Angeles is 22-16 to the Over this season, tied for the third-highest rate of Overs (57.9%). Results have been more even at home (9-8 to the Over) but results as an underdog have been even more lopsided as an underdog (17-11).

It has gone Under in three of the last four but had gone Under in the four previous. With totals above 240, it has gone 2-1 to the Over, including its last matchup against Atlanta which had a total of 243 and had 251 points scored.

The Hawks are also 22-16 to the Over this season, which is again tied for the third-highest mark. That rate has been even higher on the road (13-6, 68.4%) and as favorites (14-7, 66.7%).

Atlanta has gone Over in four of its last five and in nine of its last 13. It has seen totals of 240+ five times this season (and all have come since November 23), and has gone 4-1 to the Under in those games.

Although these two played north of the 240+ total in last week’s matchup, it will be tough to replicate. With both teams inside the Top 10 when it comes to perimeter defense, there will need to be a plethora of scoring and efficiency to make up for that defensive proficiency.

Hawks vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Lakers are 7-1 ATS and SU as underdogs of three or less points. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Lakers.

Hawks vs Lakers game info

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