The San Antonio Spurs (19-7) and Atlanta Hawks (15-13) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. The game will be broadcast live on FDSSE.
The Spurs are 2.5-point favorites over the Hawks on the spread (Spurs -2.5), with the over/under set at 240.5 total points. San Antonio is a -140 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Atlanta is +120 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Spurs vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 19.
My Spurs vs Hawks Prediction
- Spurs vs Hawks pick: Spurs -2.5 (-110)
My Hawks vs Spurs best bet is on San Antonio to cover the spread, 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.
Spurs vs Hawks Odds
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -112 | 240.5 -108o / -112u | -140 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -108 | 240.5 -108o / -112u | +120 |
Spurs vs Hawks NBA Preview
Fresh off a loss in the NBA Cup final, the Spurs returned home and cruised to a 119-94 victory over the Wizards.
De'Aaron Fox had an uncharacteristic game, scoring a season-low six points on 1-for-8 from the field. However, the Spurs had six scorers in double digits, led by Dylan Harper's 24 points.
Though stats from the NBA Cup Finals are unofficial, Harper has scored 45 points and gone 8-for-12 from three in his last two games.
Victor Wembanyama remains the Spurs' temporary 6th man and this time only played 17 minutes. However, he was still impactful with 15 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.
Last night, he took on his countryman in Alex Sarr and he will see another familiar face in Zaccharie Risacher with the Spurs heading to Atlanta.
The Hawks got Trae Young back in the lineup last night after he missed 22 games with a knee injury. He played just 20 minutes, but just missed a double-double with eight points and 10 assists.
However, it was not enough as the Hornets scored 80 points in the first half and built a 26-point lead en route to a 133-126 victory.
It was a bit of an uncharacteristic performance as the Hawks have been a strong defensive team for much of the season.
They were ninth in defensive rating in November, but have fallen to 25th this month. They did not have Kristaps Porzingis on the front end of the back, but it remains to be seen whether he will be available tonight.
I expected Young's return to reduce Jalen Johnson's usage a bit. However, Johnson had a 35.5% usage rate while Young had a 24% usage rate in his return. While he likely won't be pleased with his team losing, Johnson still had a great birthday.
The now-24-year-old scored a career-high 43 points to go along with 11 rebounds, and nine assists, nearly missing his fifth consecutive triple-double. Johnson is averaging 23.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game this season.
Spurs vs Hawks Prediction, Betting Analysis
Last year, the Spurs came to Atlanta and got a 126-125 victory. They have won the last three meetings and covered two of them. Being a road favorite has not been kind to the Spurs this season, but they are the better team in this matchup.
San Antonio is top 10 in the league in offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating, while Atlanta ranks outside the top 10 in all three categories.
Additionally, the Hawks looked a bit disjointed getting Young for the first time in over 20 games. If that continues with a much tougher test tonight, the Spurs should cover on the road.
The Spurs' bench could be an integral factor in this game once again, particularly Harper and Keldon Johnson. Harper has scored 15 points in seven of his last nine games, averaging 18.3 per game.
He may also stay hot from the perimeter tonight as the Hawks are 27th in 3s allowed to point guards and 24th against shooting guards with Harper manning both spots at times. The Hawks just allowed 24 3s on 49 attempts last night.
Meanwhile, the Spurs have not been full strength often this season, but that has not applied to Johnson, who has yet to miss a game this season. Regardless of his minutes, Johnson has consistently made an impact on the glass.
He has recorded four rebounds in 24 of 27 games this season, including each of the last 20 games. He also has had four rebounds in four of his last five games against the Hawks.
Johnson likely is a factor on the glass as well as he has 10 rebounds in each of his last eight games. However, he has also had 10 assists in five of them because of his triple-doubles.
I am taking him for a double-double tonight, which I expect to come with rebounds but I would not be surprised if he had 10 assists again despite Young being back. Johnson has had a double-double in 16 of his last 20 games.
I will cap this parlay with Stephon Castle for six assists, which he has cleared in seven of his last 10 games. The Hawks are 20th in assists allowed this season and despite the back-to-back for both teams, the total projects a lot of points on the board, which will help give him more opportunities.
Pick: Spurs -2.5 (-112)
Spurs vs Hawks Parlay Picks
- Jalen Johnson To Record A Double-Double
- Dylan Harper 15+ Points
- Stephon Castle 6+ Assists
- Keldon Johnson 4+ Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +360 via DraftKings
