Thursday, January 5, 2017

Smoothie King Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Atlanta Hawks travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, January 5, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 2.5 point favorites. The Hawks come into this game with an overall record of 18-16. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.6 as they are averaging 102.3 points per game while giving up 103.9 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 14-22. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 102.3 points per game and surrendering 105.5, good for a point differential of -3.2.

Dennis Schroder comes into this contest averaging 17.5 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Hawks. He pulls down 2.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Paul Millsap averages 17.8 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.7 assists per contest and 8.2 rebounds per game for Atlanta. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 76%.

Jrue Holiday averages 14.4 points per game while playing 31 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 7.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 67%. Anthony Davis averages 28.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.9 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Atlanta averages 102.3 points per contest this season which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 28th in the league. They average 53.1 rebounds per game and 24 assists per game which ranks them 10th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 15.9 per game. The Hawks allow 103.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 15th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 52.1 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the league.

New Orleans averages 102.3 points per game this year which ranks them 22nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is -3.2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 26th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 52.8 rebounds per game and 23 assists per contest which ranks them 12th and 9th respectively. In the turnover department the Pelicans rank 7th with 12.8 per game. The Pelicans allow 105.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 5th and 6th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 56.6 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. The Pelicans force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the NBA.

The Hawks have an offensive rating of 104.2 and a defensive rating of 105.9. In terms of pace they average 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 51%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. Atlanta turns the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions and they force 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Pelicans rating on offense is 102.8 and they have a defensive rating of 106.1. They get 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 49%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 53% and they attempt 3 pointers on 29% of their shot attempts. New Orleans turns the ball over on 11.6 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks are 16-18-0 against the spread

The Atlanta Hawks are 14-19-1 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-18-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-19-0 against the over/under

Atlanta Hawks Injuries

10/25/16 C Tiago Splitter Hamstring out indefinitely

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -2.5

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