Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks - 12/15/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks

Date: Sunday, December 15, 2019

Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Atlanta

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -10.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks (6-20, 5th in the Southeast Division) play the Los Angeles Lakers (23-3, 1st in the Pacific Division) at State Farm Arena on Sunday, December 15, 2019. Los Angeles opens this matchup as 10.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 224.

The Lakers are covering the spread 61.5% of the time, having gone 16-10-0 ATS. Atlanta is covering 42.3% of the time, going 11-15-0 against the spread.

Key Los Angeles Lakers Injuries

12/13/2019 Kyle Kuzma PF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 15
8/15/2019 DeMarcus Cousins C Knee Expected to be out until at least May 15

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

LeBron James averages 25.9 points per game in 34.6 minutes per contest. He averages 10.8 assists per contest and 7.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%. Anthony Davis comes into this contest averaging 27.4 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 9.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Jabari Parker averages 16.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 27.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.4 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is 71%. Trae Young averages 27.7 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 8.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Lakers allow 104.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 6th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.3 rebounds a game which ranks 3rd, and they give up 23.2 assists per contest which puts them in 10th place in the league. They force 16.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the league. Los Angeles averages 113.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 9.6 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 1st. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 45.5 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 12th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 15.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hawks surrender 118.4 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 22nd with 25.1 assists allowed per contest, and 14th with 45.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawks are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.2 per game. Atlanta is 20th in the league with 108.5 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -9.9. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 42.1 boards per game and 16th in assists per contest with 23.8. The Hawks are 1st in turnovers per game with 17.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Lakers are 5th in the league in defensive rating with 103.1, and their offensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 3rd. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 26th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Atlanta is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 6th in the league. The Hawks are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.9, and their defensive rating of 114.5 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 102.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles -10.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here