Hawks vs Nets Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Capela Clean Glass as Hawks Roll

It’s all about the Eastern Conference play-in battle tonight as the Brooklyn Nets host the Atlanta Hawks, who hold a four-game edge as the No. 10 seed.

It’s been a rough month for the Nets, who’ve dropped eight of their last 10 contests. They’re 1-3 since firing Jacque Vaughn and were second-best in a 108-81 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Despite Trae Young’s absence with a finger injury, the Hawks have won two in a row, including a 124-97 demolition of the Utah Jazz last time out behind 23 points and 13 rebounds from the ever-improving Jalen Johnson.

This is one of the more meaningful clashes on tonight’s NBA odds schedule, and I dig into this matchup in my free NBA picks for Hawks vs. Nets on Thursday, February 29.

Hawks vs Nets odds

Hawks vs Nets predictions

It’s too soon to draw conclusions, but the early signs are promising for the Atlanta Hawks as they navigate an extended spell without Young — and that could mean some tricky decisions down the road for the Atlanta front office.

There’s already a different feel to this team, and it’s been especially noticeable on the defensive end, with the Hawks holding their last two opponents under 100 points.

Young ranks sixth in the NBA in touches per game (86.6), and the visitors are doing a nice job of dividing up those touches rather than overburdening Dejounte Murray, who went just 7-for-19 from the field against the Jazz but is primed for a bounce-back game tonight.

Jalen Johnson is thriving in a bigger role and De’Andre Hunter has been cooking off the bench, with 20 or more points in four of his last five contests. Quin Snyder seems to have a comfortable nine-man rotation to lean on for the next few weeks, and Atlanta’s focused play this week is in stark contrast to what we’ve seen from the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets are drifting towards the offseason and don’t look a real threat to challenge for the play-in tournament. Brooklyn has lost five of its last six games and returns to Barclays Center after a rough five-game road trip.

The Atlanta moneyline has real value in this spot, and I’m picking the better two-way team at these surprising plus odds.

My best bet: Hawks moneyline (+105 at bet365)

Hawks vs Nets same-game parlay

Hawks moneyline

Clint Capela Over 9.5 rebounds

Under 227.5

+475 at bet365

Young isn’t the only major absentee for the Hawks, who’ve had to rejig their big man rotation with Onyeka Okongwu sidelined. Bruno Fernando is giving Atlanta terrific minutes off the bench, but Clint Capela is still the main man in the paint for the visitors.

He does his best work on the glass and I’m taking the Over on his rebounds prop tonight. Capela is averaging 10.5 boards this season and he’s had double-digit rebounds in seven of his last 10 outings.

I’m also wagering on the Under, with the Nets scuffling and the Hawks unable to call on Young’s shot-making. The hosts are in a big-time offensive rut, scoring 93 points or fewer in four of their last five contests, and sparkplug Cam Thomas has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

It’s hard to even contemplate the Over when Brooklyn is coming off an 81-point horror show against the Magic, where they shot just 39% from the field and only made eight 3-pointers.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Hawks vs Nets spread and Over/Under analysis

You could make the case that Atlanta deserves to be the favorite tonight after consecutive eye-catching wins. But the Hawks arrive at Barclays Center as underdogs – in part because they’re just 11-16 on the road this season.

But I like the grittier defense and more balanced offense served up by Atlanta this week. I’ve picked the visitors to win outright, and I see Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Johnson outdueling Mikal Bridges, who produced a 2-for-13 dud against the Magic in mid-week.

Though the Nets are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these teams, they’ve looked lost and sloppy while dropping eight of their last 10 games overall.

Still, we could be in for a tight scoreline. Both matchups this season have been nail-biters, with Brooklyn landing a 114-113 win in December after Atlanta’s 147-145 overtime victory in November, and there’s one more meeting on deck this weekend.

The Under is 9-1 in Brooklyn’s last 10 games and that speaks volumes for the hosts’ miserable offensive form. With the Hawks offering up fewer mismatches to hunt, I like their chances of keeping the Nets in check.

Atlanta has been a magnet for lower-scoring games lately too, and the Under has hit in four straight outings.

Hawks vs Nets betting trend to know

As their season veers off track, the Nets have only covered the spread in nine of their last 37 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Nets.

Hawks vs Nets game info

Hawks vs Nets latest injuries

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