The Atlanta Hawks (45-34) and Cleveland Cavaliers (50-29) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The Cavaliers are 1.5-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Cavaliers -1.5), with the over/under set at 236.5 total points. Cleveland is a -120 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Atlanta is +100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 8.
Hawks vs Cavaliers Prediction, Pick
- Hawks vs Cavaliers pick: Nickeil Alexander-Walker 20+ Points (-125)
My Cavaliers vs. Hawks best bet is on Nickeil Alexander-Walker to score 20+ points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hawks vs Cavaliers Odds
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 236.5 -105o / -115u | +100 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 236.5 -105o / -115u | -120 |
Hawks vs Cavaliers NBA Preview
The Hawks have been one of the league's best stories in the second half. Over their last 15 games, they are 12-3, ranking 10th in offensive rating and fourth in both defensive rating and net rating. However, this week, they are getting a taste of playoff basketball.
On Monday, they hosted the Knicks and held a second half lead. However, they were unable to finish as they fell 108-105 at home. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 36 points while Jalen Johnson had 21 points and 11 rebounds.
They currently hold a one game lead over the Raptors for the fifth seed. In the past two weeks, the Hawks have defeated the Pistons by one in overtime, split with the Celtics, and fell to the Knicks, three of the teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference.
Tonight, they will be in Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers.
For the Cavaliers, it has not always been pretty of late as they have needed to grind out wins over the Bucks, Bulls, Pelicans, Magic, Pacers, and Warriors. However, they have won eight of their last 10 games and they will not complain about the clutch time reps heading into the postseason.
On Monday, they trailed the Grizzlies by 17 in the first half before rallying for a 142-126 victory without James Harden or Donovan Mitchell.
Harden is off the injury report for tonight's game while Mitchell is questionable along with Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade.
Mitchell sat out Monday's game with a troublesome ankle injury after scoring 38 points against the Pacers on Sunday.
Given that the Hawks are the current first round opponent for the Cavaliers, I would not be surprised if they sat Mitchell so the Hawks have less film to prepare for over the next week. However, if he goes (along with Wade and Tyson), the Cavaliers will be at full strength for the first time since acquiring Harden.
Hawks vs Cavaliers Predictions, Betting Analysis
In Alexander-Walker's last three games, he has taken 51 field goal attempts compared to just seven assists.
While the offense has been run through Johnson following the Trae Young trade, Alexander-Walker has been implored to shoot by head coach Quin Snyder and for good reason. He has scored 32, 21, and 36 points over his last three games.
He has scored 20 points in eight of his last 10 games while averaging 23.8 points per game. Now, he gets a Cavaliers team that allowed 29 3s on Monday, tying the NBA record for most in a game. They are 27th in 3-pointers allowed and 23rd specifically against shooting guards.
While he has not faced the Cavaliers since November, Alexander-Walker has already taken advantage of this matchup, scoring 30 points and draining five triples in the last meeting.
If he approaches that mark today, he will not only easily clear this line, but also offer value on his ladder. He is +214 for 25 points and +535 on DraftKings for 30 tonight.
Pick: Nickeil Alexander-Walker 20+ Points (-125)
