Atlanta Hawks vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Picks, Odds and Betting Preview – January 7 2018

In a battle of big losers (Atlanta vs Los Angeles) the Hawks have the worst record. After they drop a rematch game to the Portland Trail Blazers tonight (Portland is favored by -7) they will go on to LA for a potential visit in the win column. But can they? Let’s look at some stats.

On the season so far, the Atlanta Hawks are averaging 103.9 points on 45.6 percent shooting and allowing 107.9 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Point guard Dennis Schroder is averaging 19.8 points and 6.8 assists while former Baylor Bear Taurean Prince is averaging 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Atlanta has another double-digit scorer in Kent Bazemore. Beyond the three point line, the Atlanta Hawks are shooting 38.1 percent and from the charity stripe they are dropping 78.2 percent. The Hawks are also pulling in just over 40 rebounds per game. Atlanta hasn’t claimed a road victory since December 2. Their Christmas gift is overdue.

The Lakers have lost 11 of their last 12 games and they are looking to snap an eight-game skid, assuming that the Atlanta Hawks are a good place to start in that campaign.

The Lakers were expectedly blown out by OKC (133-96) midweek, but are a near pick’em against Charlotte tonight. The Lakers are happy to have Lopez return to the lineup, even if it didn’t help them at all against the Thunder on Wednesday. Whatever happens on Friday against Charlotte won’t matter much against the Hawks where the Lakers have their best bet at a win. Wait, didn’t we say the same about the Hawks chances against LA, above?

While LA should be favored here, it is worth noting that at press, the Lakers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a losing record, 0-5 ATS in their last five home games, and 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall. Pick: Looks like Atlanta gets a win this weekend!