Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks Expert NBA Picks Against the Spread 1/8/2020

Game: Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Atlanta

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -7

Total/Over-Under: 233

State Farm Arena is the site where De'Andre Hunter and the Atlanta Hawks (8-29, 5th in the Southeast Division) will take on the Houston Rockets (24-11, 1st in the Southwest Division) on Wednesday. Houston opens this game as 7 point favorites. The total has been set at 233.

The Rockets are covering the spread 51.4% of the time, having gone 18-17-0 ATS. Atlanta is covering the spread 43.2% of the time, going 16-21-0 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

01/06/20 PG Russell Westbrook Rest is out Wednesday vs Atlanta

Key Atlanta Hawks Injuries

01/06/20 PF Jabari Parker Illness is questionable Wednesday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 24.1 points per game while playing 35.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 78%. James Harden averages 38.4 points per game in 37.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.6 assists per contest and 6.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

De'Andre Hunter averages 12.3 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 1.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Trae Young averages 28.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 8.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 119.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.5 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 47.1 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 14.9 per game. The Rockets allow 113.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.9 rebounds a game which ranks 17th and they give up 26.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Atlanta is 23rd in the league with 107.5 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -9.8. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 42.0 boards per game, and 19th in assists per contest with 23.2. The Hawks are 1st in turnovers per game with 16.9. The Hawks surrender 117.3 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.6 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 46.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hawks are 24th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.8, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 103.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Atlanta is 3rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Hawks are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.8, and their defensive rating of 113.2 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 24th. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -7

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