The Atlanta Hawks (1-0) and Charlotte Hornets (1-0) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. The game will broadcast live on WSOC 9.
The Hawks are 2.5-point favorites over the Hornets on the spread, with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. The Hawks are -142 moneyline favorites to win outright, while the Hornets are listed as +120 underdogs to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Friday, October 23.
Hawks vs Hornets Prediction
- Hawks vs Hornets pick: Hornets +2.5 (-105)
My Hawks vs. Hornets best bet is Charlotte to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at FanDuel. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
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Hawks vs Hornets Odds
- Hawks vs Hornets spread: Hawks -2.5 (-115), Hornets +2.5 (-105)
- Hawks vs Hornets over/under: 226.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Hawks vs Hornets moneyline: Hawks -142, Hornets +120
Hawks vs Hornets NBA Preview
Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview
The Hawks are coming off a big win against the Magic where they pulled it out late in the game. Atlanta played at a much faster pace than I was expecting.
However, I want to lean into a massive situational trend here. Since 2003, home favorites coming off a road win in the season opener have a terrible track record against the spread. It is very difficult to follow up that initial emotional road win with a convincing cover at home in Game 2.
I expect Atlanta's high pace to actually play right into Charlotte's hands.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
I actually liked the way the Hornets played in their opener quite a bit.
One of the biggest surprises that I didn't fully anticipate was how much Naz Reid was handling the ball. Seeing him successfully initiating and creating offense was really awesome and adds an entirely new dimension to their half-court sets.
Beyond that, the Hornets simply have waves of depth they can throw at you right now, including solid rotation minutes from guys like Moussa Diabate.
The market is undervaluing how deep this team can go over a full 48 minutes.
Hawks vs Hornets Pick, Betting Analysis
I actually make Charlotte the favorite in this game, so I am going to trust my power rating number for now.
The Hornets are going to win the math game if Atlanta tries to run with them.
I don't feel completely infallible here—maybe Atlanta is just genuinely really good and Charlotte simply beat a bad Nets team—but I love fading the Hawks in this specific situational spot.
I'm taking the Hornets +2.5.
Pick: Hornets +2.5 (-105)
