The Atlanta Hawks (15-12) and Charlotte Hornets (8-18) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Hawks are 5.5-point favorites over the Hornets on the spread (Hawks -5.5), with the over/under set at 238.5 total points. Atlanta is a -210 to win outright on the moneyline, while Charlotte is +170 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, December 18.
My Hawks vs Hornets Prediction
- Hawks vs Hornets pick: Trae Young Under 26.5 Points + Assists (-115)
My Hornets vs Hawks best bet is on Trae Young to record under 26.5 points and assists, with the best price currently available at bet365. However, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hawks vs Hornets Odds
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 238.5 -110o / -110u | -210 |
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 238.5 -110o / -110u | +170 |
Hawks vs Hornets NBA Preview
The phrase,"Who's all going to be there?" perfectly describes the NBA, but especially, the Hornets.
On a night-to-night basis, you just don't know. But after a 4-14 start, bad health luck and all, they're 4-4 in their last eight.
Atlanta is just 2-4 in their last six, including a brutal home loss to the Clippers by 23, in which Atlanta scored just 92 points.
Although in their only game this season, the Hawks outlasted the Hornets 113-110 on November 23.
Both teams were on the second of a back-to-back, where Charlotte traveled from home to Atlanta, and the Hawks flew home from New Orleans.
For the Hornets: Collin Sexton (quad), Tre Mann (knee), Pat Connaughton (calf) and Grant Williams (ACL) remain out.
LaMelo Ball (ankle) is questionable to play after missing three straight since leaving a December 5 game in Toronto early due to injury.
For Atlanta, Trae Young — who we haven't seen since October 29 — is questionable to play (knee).
Otherwise, Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is out.
Hawks vs Hornets Prediction, Betting Analysis
Trae Young may return, so I'll be fading him.
It's not disrespect to him, and admittedly, this is a match-up he can sail over in general, but we're anticipating a minutes restriction after missing close to two months of action.
I also think, with the emergence of guys like Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and lately, Dyson Daniels, Young might be off-ball more and trying not to step on anyone's toes as he eases back into the lineup.
He was under this in two of four games he played while healthy, and obviously went under in the game he was injured.
I'm expecting no more than 28-30 minutes, and even that could be pushing it, given how teams are treating stars off of injury this season.
I like this really only at this number, which is available on bet365.
Pick: Trae Young Under 26.5 Points + Assists (-115; play to 27.5)
