The Los Angeles Lakers (12-10) and Atlanta Hawks (12-11) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The game will be broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Hawks are 5.5-point home favorites over the Lakers (Hawks -5.5), with the over/under set at 232 total points. Atlanta is a -205 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +170 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lakers vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks for Friday, December 6
Lakers vs. Hawks Picks, Prediction
Spread
The Hawks are generous home favorites on the spread in Friday's contest, a number that is too steep my liking. So, I will not be picking a side here.
Moneyline
I'm not betting either team on the moneyline in this contest. Instead, I will mostly be targeting the player prop market.
Over/Under
My Hawks vs. Lakers best bet isn't exactly a total prediction, but it does correlate with one side of over/under, as I will be taking Jalen Johnson over 33.5 combined points, rebounds, & assists. I also like the Hawks team total over as a part of my same game parlay for tonight's matchup.
My Pick: Jalen Johnson Over 33.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Lakers vs. Hawks Odds
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 232 -110 / -110 | +170 |
| Hawks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 232 -110 / -110 | -205 |
- Lakers vs Hawks spread: Hawks -5.5
- Lakers vs Hawks over/under: 232 points
- Lakers vs Hawks moneyline: Hawks -205, Lakers +170
- Lakers vs Hawks best bet: Jalen Johnson Over 33.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
Lakers vs. Hawks NBA Friday
The Lakers pulled off a one-point win in Utah to began their road trip, but since then, things have gone downhill quickly. On the second night of the back-to-back, they lost by a score of 109-80 in Minnesota. They followed that up with a 134-93 loss in Miami. The Lakers have now lost six of their last eight games with an average margin of defeat of 22 points.
During that stretch, Los Angeles ranks 28th in both offensive and defensive rating and 29th in net rating. Anthony Davis has slowed down after beginning the year on a MVP-caliber pace. Over his last seven games, he is averaging just 18 points and 11 rebounds per game while dealing with a plantar fasciitis injury. He is listed as probable for tonight's game.
Meanwhile, LeBron James is also questionable for tonight's game, but I anticipate that he will be in the lineup. On Wednesday, he broke out of a mini-slump with 29 points on 12-for-18 shooting from the field. However, even after his latest outing, he has still only scored 20 points in three of his past eight games.
It won't get easier for the Lakers tonight either, as they take on a Hawks team that has won five games in a row, which includes three wins over the Cavaliers and Bucks. Typically, we expect Trae Young to lead the way with his scoring, but he is averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting 38% from the field, both of which are his worst marks since his rookie season.
However, he is leading the league with 12 assists per game. He has recorded 10 assists in 14 of his last 20 games, and he is deemed probable for tonight's game. Young is still the Hawks leading scorer, though the ascending Jalen Johnson is right on his heels.
Johnson has filled up the stat sheet in every category this season, averaging 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He will be in prime position to have a big performance against the Lakers tonight.
Lakers vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets
In his last 10 games, Jalen Johnson is averaging 21.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, while shooting 57% from the field and 42% from 3-point range. He has recorded at least 31 points + rebounds + assists (PRA) in each of those games, while clearing this line in six of them. In all six overs, Johnson recorded at least 38 PRA.
Tonight, he will face a Lakers defense that is 26th in points allowed per game, 25th in rebounds allowed per game, and 30th in assists per allowed per game.
The Lakers will also likely surrender a bunch of assists to Young, who has recorded 10 assists in three of the last five meetings between these two teams. I will be backing Trae to record a double-double tonight, presumably via points and assists.
If the Hawks get another strong game from their two best players, it will likely translate on the scoreboard as well. They are averaging 116.6 points per game while the Lakers are giving up 115.7 points per game. The Hawks have scored 115 points in 16 of 23 games this season. So, I'll cap off my parlay with an alternate Hawks team total over.
Best Bet: Jalen Johnson Over 33.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-125)
Same Game Parlay: Jalen Johnson Over 33.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists, Trae Young Double-Double, Hawks Alternate Team Total Over 114.5 Points (+202)
Hawks vs. Lakers Betting Trends
