NBA Free Premium Pick: 509 Atlanta Hawks @ 510 Toronto Raptors
Rating: 4 Units – Regular Play
Pick: 509 Atlanta Hawks (-3)

Price: -104 / 1.96 on Pinnacle
Detailed Write Up:


Toronto will remain severely shorthanded today and I expect the Hawks to take full advantage of that. Without Siakam, VanVleet & OG Anunoby in the last 2 games, the Raptors were destroyed on the defensive end allowing b2b’s +130 def. rates. They couldn’t protect the rim (allowed 56& 54 points in the paint) and they were clearly outrebounded by DET & BOS.

This could be problematic against the Hawks who have a solid frontcourt duo of Collins & Capela (ATL is ranked #5 in Off. Reb. Rate.). Already in the last H2H, Collins and Capela combined the following production: 42 points, 16-24 FG, 23 rebounds and 7 blocks. That was against a Raptors team that was way healthier than it will be today.

With the new coach McMillan, ATL looked more disciplined in both ends, they got Bogdanovic back and they won b2b road games for the first time since… the first 2 games of the season. I expect a valiant effort performance from TOR, but the superior talent and edges from ATL will make the difference.