The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks both had Top-6 expectations heading into this season — but as they meet tonight at Scotiabank Arena, neither team is even assured of a play-in spot.
The Raptors have been on the ropes lately after dropping to 16-23 but rallied this week, following a good win over the Portland Trail Blazers last weekend and back-to-back victories over the Charlotte Hornets.
Just a game ahead of Toronto, Atlanta still can’t get going. The Hawks are 4-6 in their last 10 contests but outlasted the Indiana Pacers 113-111 last night behind a 26-point, 11-assist outing from Trae Young.
Get the lowdown on tonight’s Eastern Conference showdown with our Hawks vs Raptors NBA picks and predictions for Saturday, January 14.
Hawks vs Raptors best odds
Hawks vs Raptors picks and predictions
Pascal Siakam has made his All-Star case loud and clear this season — and he might well be playing his way onto an All-NBA team too. For a Raptors squad that’s light on shooting and often gets stuck in mud with its halfcourt offense, Siakam continues to be the difference-maker.
Siakam only missed two shots on Thursday on the way to 35 points, effortlessly scoring from all three levels. He’s averaging 30 points over his last three games and has had more room to operate since floor-spacer Gary Trent Jr. returned to the starting line-up.
This is a favorable matchup for Siakam too. The Hawks’ defensive effort is up and down at the best of times, and I expect more slippage on the second night of a back-to-back set. The Raptors are deadly in transition and if Atlanta is a step slow getting back, Siakam and Scottie Barnes are experts at punishing teams when they push the pace.
De'Andre Hunter will likely take the defensive assignment against Toronto’s top scorer, but Siakam is in such a groove that he’ll still get to his spots. Siakam missed the teams’ November meeting, but led the Raptors with 31 points in their blowout win at home to Atlanta in October.
With Nick Nurse continuing to ride his starters for big minutes, I like Siakam to put on a show again tonight, leading the way for a surging Toronto offense.
My best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 25.5 points (-120 at PointsBet)
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Hawks vs Raptors spread analysis
After three straight home wins, the Raptors are 6.5-point favorites as they try to complete a perfect 4-0 homestand. It’s hard to judge too much from their wins over the slumping Hornets, but Toronto is trending in the right direction. Still, given there’s little between these teams in the standings, that line would be a few points lower if Atlanta hadn’t played last night.
Other reasons to like the Raptors in this spot: Precious Achiuwa’s return from an ankle injury has solidified the hosts’ bench, and Barnes’ arrow is trending upward ahead in what’s been a tricky sophomore season. With the trade deadline approaching, the clock is ticking for this group to show it can make some noise in a stacked Eastern Conference, and you can feel the urgency.
The Hawks have fewer excuses than the Raptors for their sub-.500 record, but last night’s road win over the Pacers was a positive step. With Clint Capela sidelined, Onyeka Okongwu continues to enhance his reputation as a promising young big man. He gave the Hawks a major lift against Indiana last night, finishing with 18 points and 20 rebounds
If you’re taking the points with Atlanta, the biggest red flag is the heavy minutes logged by the starters last night. The visitors are 0-4 ATS in their last four games when their starters combine for more than 160 minutes the previous night, as they did against the Pacers. The Hawks are also 1-5 ATS in their last six visits to Toronto.
Hawks vs Raptors Over/Under analysis
Trae Young’s explosive offensive play and dismal defense is a dream combo for wagering on the Over, and that looks like the smart play again here. Four Hawks scored 18 or more points last night and there’s no shortage of playmaking with Young and Dejounte Murray sharing point guard duties.
Toronto has feasted on weaker defenses this week, but it’s still noteworthy that the Raptors knocked down 20 3-pointers against the Hornets on Tuesday. O.G. Anunoby has been on a hot streak from behind the arc during this three-game win streak, while Siakam made all three of his triples on Thursday. A shooting uptick is long overdue for Nurse’s men.
The Over has hit in the Raptors’ last six games following an ATS win and it’s 7-1 in their eight games against a team with a losing straight-up record. The Hawks’ last four Saturday games have all cashed the Over too.
Hawks vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games against a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Raptors.
Hawks vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Saturday, January 14, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN, Bally Sports SE Atlanta |
Hawks vs Raptors key injuries
