Free NBA Pick: Hawks vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Hawks taking on the Raptors on Monday, October 31st, 2022 at Scotiabank Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Hawks Raptors matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(4-2) Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors (3-3)
Date: Monday, October 31st
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hawks +146 | Raptors -172 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -3.5
NBA Betting Total: 223.5
Monday, October 31st the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors play the first of three scheduled contests. Atlanta hosts November 19th with the series wrapping up January 14th in Toronto.
Atlanta last played on Saturday in a losing 115-123 effort versus the Bucks while Toronto got routed by Philly 90-112 on Friday.
Last season, the Raptors won three of the four contests against Atlanta and own the all-time record 50 to 49.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks boast the better record albeit via a significantly easier starting schedule with all four wins against tanking clubs: Rockets, Magic and Pistons (twice) and lost to the tougher opponents (Hornets, Bucks).
That raises a question of how good this Hawks team can be. Dejounte Murray was added to the starting core with the goal of becoming proficient on both ends.
It’s early and there will undoubtedly be changes as the chemistry grows but the initial stats are telling…
Field goal attempts are down for starters Murray (-0.3), Clint Capella (-1.7) and John Collins (-1.9). De’Andre Hunter is taking an additional 0.5 shots per game and Young is the only one experiencing a significant uptick (+3.7 FGA).
Murray (+2.4 MPG) and Collins (+2.7) minutes are up from last season as is Young although only slightly (+0.6) while Hunter and Capella are slightly down (-1.1 MPG).
It’s a small sample size but it’s important to see if this becomes the norm or with time and reps better distribution occurs.
If the former, it says Young is more invested in his personal stats than the team’s success because the main reason to add Murray was to improve the overall quality of the Hawks on BOTH sides of the court and make the offense less predictable.
However, if everyone is sacrificing their own personal marks except Young that may impact the team’s chemistry (and by that I mean their emotional chemistry, not the on court chemistry).
Toronto Raptors
The two game baseball set against the 76ers offered the best and worst games of the season for Toronto. They may have fallen victim to the trap game Friday learning just minutes prior Joel Embiid was out.
Fred VanVleet had one of his worst games ever as a Raptor (0-11). Despite the loss, Pascal Siakam continued his stellar play posting a line of 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
OG Anunoby’s line of 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block doesn’t do justice to how much havoc he created on the court.
Ultimately, the Raptors lacked their typical aggression with Scottie Barnes not nearly as aggressive as Nick Nurse needs or wants him to be. Expect him to be far more invested from the tip on Monday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Atlanta are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games on the road.
- Toronto are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games.
- Toronto are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games at home.
Free Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
Both clubs protect the ball (Hawks 2nd/Raptors 6th) and the Raptors allow the fewest second chance points. Ultimately, the key will be which club can limit the opposing team’s strength.
Toronto ranks first in fast break scoring (20) – the Hawks allow the fewest FB points (8.0). Atlanta scores the seventh most points in the paint (54.0) – the Raptors allow the sixth fewest PIP (43.3).
Diving into scoring Atlanta allowed the Hornets, Pistons (both games) and Bucks to score above their average (range of +2.3 to +9.6) but held Houston and Orlando under their average.
Conversely, Toronto held the Cavaliers and Nets below their average while they had split results in the two games versus the Heat and 76ers. The range for Toronto was also more dramatic – – below average range of -0.3 to -18 points and the two above average game +3 and +4 points.
Overall, Toronto ranks fourth (106.2 ppg allowed) and Atlanta ranks 16th (113.2 ppg) in opponent points per game.
Considering the Raptors offensive difficulties it might seem like the Hawks are the easy pick, but I can’t ignore the strength of schedule. All six of Toronto’s opponents were projected as playoff home court seeds versus Atlanta who faced four tanking clubs.
The November 19th match will offer a better sample size and a more diverse opponent draw. Atlanta will play seven matches, featuring the Knicks, Pelicans, Bucks x2, 76ers x2, and Celtics with three road games, and one back-to-back set.
Toronto will play nine matches featuring the Spurs, Mavericks, Bulls x2, Rockets, Thunder, Pacers, Pistons, and Heat with five road matches, and two back-to-back sets.
I’m eager to see how the statistics vary by then, but in the interim I’m trusting the Raptors’ constancy and commitment to their identity and therefore picking them to win a closely contested battle.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors ATS
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