Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks Betting Preview

With limited NBA games on Saturday, one interesting matchup is an Eastern Conference showdown between the Indiana Pacers (13-13) and the Atlanta Hawks (11-14). The Hawks will host this one from State Farm Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 pm ET.
Even though the Indiana Pacers currently rank 5th in the East, they have struggled as of late. In fact, it was just Thursday that they were able to snap a four-game losing streak with a 111-95 win over the Detroit Pistons. In the win, Domantas Sabonis led the way with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. They will look to get back above .500 with a win over the Hawks Saturday.
Speaking of the Hawks, even though they sit in 10th in the East, they are only a game and a half back of the Pacers. With so many teams so tightly grouped together, the Hawks can easily make a push to move up the conference ranks. Saturday will mark the second game of a back-to-back after losing the San Antonio Spurs 125-114 on Friday.
The Pacers are the slight favorite despite playing on the road. They are -120 to win while the Hawks are +102. The spread features Atlanta +1.5 while the over/under for total points is 226.5.
By The Numbers
Offensively, these two are pretty similar. Atlanta ranks 14th in scoring averaging 112.8 points per game. The Pacers are 16th averaging 112.3 points per game, although they have averaged just over a 100 in their last three games.
In terms of scoring defense, it is the Pacers who hold the edge. They rank 11th overall, allowing opponents 111 points per game (100.7 over their last three). The Hawks rank 14th, allowing 111.4 (117 over their last three).
Pacers Hope To Get Back On Track
After starting the season 6-2, there was a lot of optimism surrounding the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, they have come back to Earth over the last few weeks, but they will look to take advantage of an inconsistent Hawks team to get back above .500.
Leading the way for the Pacers are big man Domantas Sabonis and guard Malcolm Brogdan. For Sabonis, he is averaging 21.1 points on 53.2% shooting. He is actually averaging a double-double as he has put up 11.4 rebounds per game as well. Sabonis has even done well as a facilitator averaging 5.5 assists per game as well.
For Brogdon, he is averaging 21.3 points on 44.1% shooting. He is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
After trading away Victor Oladipo and with T.J. Warren still out with an injury, they will need some of their secondary pieces like Justin Holiday (11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds), Doug McDermott (12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds), and Myles Turner (13.3 points, 6.6 rebounds) to step up.
Hawks Looking To Play Better At Home
The Eastern Conference is extremely tight at this point. In fact, only 4.5 games separate second and tenth in the conference. If the Hawks have any chance of making a run, though, they are going to have to play better at home, where they are just 6-8 thus far.
Leading the way for the Hawks this season is guard Trae Young. The 22-year-old is averaging 26.5 points on 42.3% shooting. He is also averaging 4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game for the Hawks.
Other significant contributors include John Collins (18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds), Clint Capela (13.4 points, 14 rebounds), Kevin Huerter (12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists), and Cam Reddish (10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds).
Unfortunately, the injury bug has hit the Hawks. DeāAndre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic are both out for this game with injuries, while Rajon Rondo is questionable with a back issue.
Taking Indiana To Win And Cover
While the Pacers are not elite, they are a better all-around team than the Hawks. After a four-game skid, their schedule is helping with back-to-back games against struggling teams in the Pistons and Hawks.
Just like they were able to take care of the Pistons in their last game, I like them to both win and cover against the Hawks in this one.