Lakers vs. Hawks: Atlanta looks to defend home court against Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers (24-24) are ready to hit the road and take on the Atlanta Hawks (19-27) in an exciting matchup on Tuesday evening. This game marks their first encounter of the season, as the Lakers swept the series last year. In their previous matchup in January 2023, the Lakers emerged victorious with a 130-114 win over the Hawks. Despite their average season record, the Hawks are currently fourth in the NBA in points per game (120.2), while the Lakers have struggled defensively, allowing 117 points per game.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, they will be missing key player Anthony Davis due to an Achilles and hip injury. Moreover, the availability of De’Aaron Fox for Los Angeles remains uncertain as he deals with an ankle injury. On the other side, the Hawks have some injury concerns of their own with Dejounte Murray (hamstring) and Daniel Gafford (back) listed as questionable for the game.

The action is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, where the Hawks are currently favored at 6.5 points in the latest Lakers vs. Hawks odds by the SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points stands at 247.

Before making any betting decisions, it’s worth considering the insights provided by the SportsLine Projection Model. This proven model has simulated every NBA game 10,000 times and has been highly profitable for over $100 players on its top-rated picks over the past five-plus seasons. As it enters Week 15 of the 2023-24 NBA season, the model boasts an impressive 48-30 record on all top-rated NBA picks this season, accumulating over $1,700 in returns.

When analyzing the upcoming Lakers vs. Hawks matchup, the model highlights several key players to watch. For the Lakers, guard Austin Reaves has been a skilled playmaker, demonstrating his ability to score and facilitate with averages of 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Russell, another guard for the Lakers, has been playing at a high level recently, showcasing his composure and reliable perimeter shooting with averages of 17.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.

On the Hawks’ side, Dejounte Murray has been a force to reckon with, possessing great athleticism on both ends of the court. Despite his questionable status due to a hamstring injury, Murray has been contributing significantly with averages of 21.4 points, five rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He has recorded at least 22 points and five assists in the last six games. Alongside Murray, Trae Young has been orchestrating the Hawks’ offense with accuracy, ranking second in the league in assists (10.8) and averaging 27 points per game.

As the game unfolds, the model’s analysis indicates that the total points scored are likely to be under the set over/under. Furthermore, the model has generated a point-spread pick that is hitting at a success rate of over 50% in its simulations.

The Lakers and the Hawks are gearing up for an intense battle on the court. Will the Lakers continue their dominance over the Hawks like last season, or will Atlanta defend their home court in front of their fans? To find out, make sure to tune in to the game and witness the outcome for yourself!