The Charlotte Hornets (24-28) and Atlanta Hawks (26-27) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Hornets are 1.5-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Hornets -1.5), with the over/under set at 231.5 total points. Charlotte is a -130 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Atlanta is +110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Hornets vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, February 7.
Hornets vs Hawks Prediction, Picks
- Hornets vs Hawks pick: Hornets -1.5 (-110)
My Hornets vs Hawks best bet is on Charlotte to cover the spread at -1.5. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hornets vs Hawks Odds
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 231.5 -110o / -110u | -130 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 231.5 -110o / -110u | +110 |
Hornets vs Hawks NBA Preview
This season has seen the Hawks trade Trae Young and the Grizzlies make Ja Morant available before deciding to hold on to him through the trade deadline.
It was not long ago that LaMelo Ball appeared to be another former All-Star point guard on the market — and Minnesota was still determined to acquire him. However, things have completely flipped in Charlotte.
The Hornets enter tonight's game on an eight-game winning streak and they are 13-6 since the turn of the calendar year. They have played themselves into a spot in the Play-In Tournament and are three games back of the Magic for the seventh seed.
Suddenly, a core featuring Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel, among others, looks like a dangerous first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference.
The trio has been healthy at the same time (which has been a problem for Ball and Miller) and they have led the Hornets to the eighth-best offense in the league, which is tied first in offensive rating during their winning streak.
That offense was on full display the last time they faced the Hawks.
Ball, Knueppel, and Miller accounted for 16 of Charlotte's 24 3-pointers, the second-most in franchise history. They each scored over 25 points as the Hornets won 133-126 at home. Jalen Johnson shone in that game as well with 43 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.
These teams have split the first two meetings this season, with each team winning on their home floor.
Tonight's matchup and another on Wednesday will wrap up the season series, but the last two meetings may look a bit different.
As mentioned, the Hawks no longer have Young; they also traded Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard. They've acquired Duop Reath, Gabe Vincent, Jock Landale and Jonathan Kuminga.
Landale had a rousing team debut with 26 points and 11 rebounds against the Jazz.
Kuminga is out for tonight's game with a knee injury. Likewise, for Coby White, who the Hornets acquired for Colin Sexton and a pair of second-round picks.
Hornets vs Hawks Predictions, Betting Analysis
Hornets -1.5
With Atlanta 1.5 games ahead of Charlotte, this game will be impactful to the Play-In Tournament race come April.
Both teams enter the game playing well, with the Hawks having won six of their last eight games and the Hornets having won eight in a row.
However, during that stretch, Charlotte ranks second in the league with a +13.9 net rating, while the Hawks rank 11th at +2.7.
Charlotte is the healthier and more cohesive team tonight between the trades and other injuries, as the Hawks may be without Onyeka Okongwu once again.
Covering seven of the last 10 meetings, I like Charlotte as a short road favorite in this spot.
Brandon Miller 20+ Points / LaMelo Ball 3+ Three-Pointers Made
Miller has struggled in his last two games, battling turnovers and foul trouble in particular against Houston.
However, he has still scored 20 points in 10 of his last 12 games. He has also scored 20 points in four of his last six games against Atlanta, averaging 22.8 per game.
He has made three triples in five of those games, while Ball has made three 3-pointers in each of his last four games against the Hawks.
The Hawks are 14th in 3-pointers allowed and 21st against small forwards. This matchup should favor both Miller and Ball on the perimeter.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker 18+ Points
They may not be alone, as Nickeil Alexander-Walker has made seven 3s in two games against Charlotte.
He scored 23 and 28 points in those games. He also has scored 18 points in eight of his last 10 games.
Jalen Johnson Over 18.5 Rebounds + Assists
Meanwhile, Johnson has 10 triple-doubles this season and has missed seven more by either one rebound or assist.
Tonight's pace should give a few extra possessions to collect more rebounds and assists.
If he flirts with a triple-double again, he will clear his RA line as well. He has recorded 19 or more RA in seven of his last eight games.
Hornets vs Hawks Best Bet
- Hornets -1.5 (-110, bet365)
Hornets vs Hawks Parlay Picks
- Brandon Miller 20+ Points
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker 18+ Points
- Jalen Johnson Over 18.5 Rebounds + Assists
- LaMelo Ball 3+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +648 via bet365
Spread
My Hawks vs. Hornets betting prediction is on Charlotte to cover the spread at -1.5.
Moneyline
I'm targeting the Hornets to cover the spread instead of the moneyline in this matchup.
Over/Under
Not crazy about the total.
Hawks vs Hornets Betting Trends
