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Atlanta vs. Houston NBA Free Pick

Our experts weigh in with this week’s best Monday night hoops NBA picks for gambling on all the action…tonight on the hardwood we get the Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets…

NBA odds: High-flying Hawks host Rockets

If you bet on NBA odds, Atlanta has provided many payouts this year. Can the “underdog” Hawks keep it going against Houston?

Atlanta (28-14, 28-14 ATS) has elevated its play in recent weeks. The Hawks have won five of their last six games while also delivering on the point spread during that stretch, going 4-2 ATS. In fact, the Hawks have won by double-digits in two straights games, including Friday’s 103-89 romp over the Bobcats.

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Team records:
Atlanta: 28-14 SU, 28-14 ATS
Houston: 24-19 SU, 22-21 ATS

Matchup: Hawks vs. Rockets
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Toyota Center
Spread: Rockets -1
Over/Under: 197.5

NBA betting fans may be watching Atlanta develop into a legit contender before their very eyes. The Hawks are giving Orlando a run for the division while currently tied for third overall in the Eastern Conference. Offensively, the Hawks employ one of the better units in the league. Joe Johnson leads the team with 21.1 points per game, but he’s joined by four other players in double figures: Jamal Crawford, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams. Atlanta is getting the job done at the other end of the floor too, ranking 12th in fewest points allowed at 97.2 per game.

The Rockets (24-19, 22-21 ATS) have won two of their least three games, though they dropped a 104-97 decision to Chicago on Saturday. Despite picking up a few wins in the last week or so, Houston has struggled in 2010, going 4-6 in 10 games. Worse yet, NBA betting fans have been burned by a poor performance on the lines; Houston is 1-5 against the point spread in its last six games.Online Sports Betting at Sportsbook

Houston’s offense is 12th in the league. It’s led by Aaron Brooks, who is averaging 18.7 per outing, but doesn’t have a true scorer in the mix (Brooks also leads the team with 5.0 assists per game). The Rockets chip away with a number of players and just seem to quietly pile up points. If there’s a weak link on the team, it’s on defense, where Houston is 19th at 100.6 points per contest. Middle-of-the-pack rebounding is partly to blame, though Atlanta doesn’t work the glass very well either—it shouldn’t be much of a factor in this game.

These opponents don’t meet often, but they’ve shared a very close head-to-head series. The Rockets have won six of their past 10 meetings with Atlanta, although the Hawks have won two straight, including a 105-103 win in November. Interestingly, Houston has covered five straight. The total has been very even, splitting 5-5 between over and under in the past 10.

Trends:

Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

THE PICK

The Hawks are excelling right now and they’ve been almost lethal against the spread. Considering how badly the Rockets have struggled ATS lately, NBA betting fans shouldn’t over-think this one. Bet on the “underdog” high-flying Hawks.

Next up:
Atlanta at San Antonio, Wednesday, January 27
Houston home to Denver, Wednesday, January 27

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By Ian Van Den Hurk

Ian Van Den Hurk has covered amateur and pro sports for years, including a successful run handicapping anything from football to mixed martial arts. Looking for more sports betting tips and expert sports handicapping articles from Ian V? We've got your back...