The Atlanta Hawks (2-3) and Indiana Pacers (0-4) will meet in the group stage of the NBA Cup tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The game will broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Hawks are 2.5-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Hawks -2.5), with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. Atlanta is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Indiana is +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, October 31.
Hawks vs Pacers Prediction, Picks
- Hawks vs Pacers pick: Pascal Siakam Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds (-123)
My Pacers vs. Hawks best bet is on Pascal Siakam over 34.5 Points + Rebounds, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hawks vs Pacers Odds for Friday, October 31
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 232.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers NBA Cup Preview
The NBA Cup gets underway on Halloween Night as the Pacers play host to the Hawks.
Perhaps the start of something new, such as the midseason tournament, can bring some joy to the Pacers, who remain one of three teams in the league yet to win.
Unfortunately, it's been one injury after another for Indiana since starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Along with Haliburton, the Pacers list eight players on the injury report, with six ruled out for Friday's game.
With Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) unavailable, the Pacers have called on second-year player RayJ Dennis to provide minutes off the bench at the point guard position.
To make matters worse, Indiana's current leading scorer, Bennedict Mathurin (31.0 PPG), is also out with a sprained toe.
If we turn to the Hawks, they report only injury, but it involves their best player, Trae Young. Young exited Wednesday's game against Brooklyn in the first quarter when teammate Mouhamed Gueye fell backward into his knee.
Although the Hawks managed to win 117-112, they haven't been all that impressive considering their 2-3 record after what many regarded as a brilliant offseason.
Atlanta supposedly got stronger on the perimeter by adding a two-way player in Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Hawks also brought in Luke Kennard to build on that perimeter threat and traded for Kristaps Porzingis, a player who can stretch opposing defenses.
However, their perimeter strategy has yet to take shape, as Atlanta ranks just 24th in 3-pointers per game (11.6).
Overall, Atlanta ranks in the bottom-third of the league in offense (23rd-111.1) and defensive efficiency (22nd-117.6), but it's the lack of competitiveness on the boards that's perhaps the most disappointing.
The Hawks rank 26th in rebounds, averaging just 40 per game.
Clint Capela's departure has undoubtedly made the Hawks weaker on the glass, and teams willing to put in the effort and out-hustle them can certainly make things difficult for Atlanta.
Hawks vs Pacers Betting Predictions, Analysis
Despite their 0-4 start, the Pacers have been competitive for the most part.
Indiana is 3-1 against the spread, while facing the second-toughest schedule to date per TeamRankings.
The Pacers' last two games were a four-point loss to Minnesota and a two-point loss to Dallas, with both games being on the road.
A return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in front of their home fans could be just what Indiana needs to record its first win.
While I believe the Pacers are live underdogs in this game, I prefer to back them by targeting one of their player props.
Pascal Siakam is the veteran on the team, and he's doing everything he can to lead by example during this difficult stretch.
Siakam has reached double figures in rebounds in three of Indiana's four games this season and is averaging 11.0 per game on the year.
His career average in rebounds is 6.7, and the 2021-22 season was the last time he averaged eight or more.
Siakam has a points+rebounds prop of 34.5—a line he cleared in three of his previous four games.
Since we already highlighted Atlanta's struggles on the glass, it's worth noting that Indiana is currently the second-best rebounding team with 50 per game.
Those factors should bode well for Siakam to go over his Points + Rebounds prop line of 34.5.
Hawks vs Pacers Best Bet
- Pascal Siakam Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds (-123)
Pacers vs Hawks Betting Trends
