The Toronto Raptors are back from the brink of extinction after winning three of their last four games and will try to show their claws as 5.5-point underdogs when they visit the Atlanta Hawks.
Well, let’s not get that excited. The Raptors still have the third-worst record in the NBA and would like to keep it that way for the upcoming draft. One way to do that is by trading off valuable assets.
My Raptors vs. Hawks predictions are looking at you, Bruce Brown. Here are my NBA picks for this Eastern Conference matchup set to tip off at 7:30 pm ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Raptors vs Hawks prediction
My Raptors pick
Bruce Brown Over 9.5 Points (-105 at PointsBet Canada)
My analysis
Bruce Brown was part of the return for Pascal Siakam when the Toronto Raptors shipped off their former All-Star to the Indiana Pacers, and the second Brown landed in Toronto, the countdown was on as to when his new team would flip him.
While he’s stuck around longer than some expected, the rumors are swirling once again now that the Feb. 6 trade deadline is fast approaching.
To his credit, Brown has said all the right things and after missing much of the first half of the season with injuries, he’s looking like a guy trying to improve his trade value and one potential contenders could look at to bolster their rosters.
Brown was playing the best basketball of his career last season with the Pacers, averaging 12.1 points with 4.7 rebounds and 9.6 assists but he clearly hasn’t had the same spark with Toronto. Injuries have obviously played a part in that, as he’s only played 10 games with the Raptors this season.
However, it appears, the impact bench player is becoming just that again. Brown is averaging 10.6 points over his last five games which includes shooting a ridiculous 46.2% from 3-point range. It’s clear he’s been told to fire away a little more often taking at least nine shots in four of the five games during that stretch.
Brown’s last two games have been the most impressive, going 6-for-11 for 17 points at Milwaukee and then 5-for-11 for 15 in the Raps latest game vs. Orlando.
Tonight, Brown’s point total is sitting at a very modest 9.5 for this matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. While the Hawks have taken strides forward this season the defense is still a work in progress.
Atlanta enters this game ranked 18th in defensive rating and 28th in opponent effective field goal percentage. But the Hawks' biggest problem is on the perimeter where they allow the third most 3-point attempts while having the third-worst opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
I’m betting Brown keeps improving his stock and hits double digits in points for the fourth time in six games.
Raptors vs Hawks same-game parlay
Bruce Brown Over 9.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 1.5 threes
RJ Barrett Over 6.5 rebounds
Speaking of the Hawks’ poor perimeter defense, let’s back Scottie Barnes to drain a couple of shots from downtown in this matchup.
Barnes continues to be a streaky shooter from long range, but the matchup against the Hawks is a good one and he is coming off a game against the Magic where he went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
And let’s close this same-game parlay out with RJ Barrett to go Over his rebounding number of 6.5. Barrett averages 6.7 rebounds per game and while the Hawks are a solid rebounding team, they will be without starting center Clint Capela for this one.
That could mean Atlanta runs a little smaller tonight and a physical wing like Barrett could grab more boards. He’s also gone Over this number in two of his last three games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Raptors vs Hawks odds
Raptors vs Hawks live odds
Raptors vs Hawks opening odds
- Spread: Toronto +6.5 | Atlanta -6.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +220 | Atlanta -270
- Over/Under: Over 235.5 | Under 235.5
Odds courtesy of PointsBet Canada
Raptors vs Hawks spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 6.5-point underdogs. Early action was on Toronto, moving the spread down to as low as 4 before some Atlanta buyback brought the line back up to 5.
- Outside of a 10-game stretch starting in late December, the Raptors have been a solid bet this season and are 24-18-1 ATS overall. Meanwhile, the Hawks have covered just three of their last 10 games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite.
- The total hit the board at a high 235.5 and has been bet up to 237.5 as of Thursday afternoon. It is the second-highest total on the board today.
- The Raptors are generally an Over team thanks to their poor defense and high pace on offense. Well, the Hawks play at a higher pace and the defense is almost as bad. The move upward is not shocking here.
Raptors vs Hawks trend
The Hawks have hit the Game Total Over in 39 of their last 59 games dating back to last season for +17.00 Units and a 26% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Hawks.
How to watch Raptors vs Hawks
| Location | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Date | Thursday, 1-23-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN SE, TSN |
Raptors vs Hawks latest injuries
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