Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/7/2018

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Atlanta Hawks travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, January 7, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 4.5 point favorites.

The Hawks come into this game with an overall record of 10-28. They are 5th in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -4.4 as they are averaging 103.5 points per game while giving up 107.9 per contest. The Lakers have an overall mark of 11-27. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 106.4 points per contest and giving up 111.7, which is a point differential of -5.3.

Valuable Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

The Atlanta Hawks are 20-16-2 against the spread

The Atlanta Hawks are 19-19-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Lakers are 17-21-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Lakers are 21-17-0 against the over/under

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

11/29/17 C Dewayne Dedmon Tibia is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Taurean Waller-Prince comes into this contest averaging 13 points per game while playing 31.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Hawks. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%. Dennis Schroder averages 19.6 points per game in 32.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.7 assists per contest and 3 rebounds per game for Atlanta. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 14.1 points per game while playing 23.1 minutes per contest this year for the Lakers. He grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 76%. Kyle Kuzma averages 17.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.3 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

Useful Team Statistics

Atlanta averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -4.45 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 40.1 rebounds per game and 23.8 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.5 per game. The Hawks allow 107.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 28th and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.7 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 25.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 30th place in the league. They force 16.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 12th in the league with 106.4 points per game this year. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -5.37. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 8th in assists per contest with 23.1. The Lakers are 2nd in turnovers per game with 16.5. The Lakers surrender 111.7 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 23.4 assists allowed per contest and 29th with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Lakers are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Hawks are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 111, and their offensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 3rd. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 96.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 16th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Atlanta is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 6th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Lakers are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 103.2 is ranked 16th. They are 1st in the NBA in pace with 101.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 28th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Hawks/Lakers NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Los Angeles -4.5

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