The Atlanta Hawks (20-22) and Portland Trail Blazers (19-22) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The game will be broadcast live on KUNP.
The Hawks are 4.5-point favorites over the Blazers on the spread (Hawks -4.5), with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. Atlanta is a 61-cent favorite to win outright, while Portland is priced at 40 cents to pull off the upset on Fanatics Markets.
Let's get into my Hawks vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, January 15.
Hawks vs Trail Blazers Prediction
- Hawks vs Trail Blazers pick: Trail Blazers +4.5
My Trail Blazers vs Hawks best bet is on Portland to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at Fanatics. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Hawks vs Trail Blazers Odds
(If you're unfamiliar with Fanatics Markets, read more here.)
Atlanta Hawks vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Preview
I like the spot for Portland, even with Deni Avdija listed as doubtful due to a lower back issue.
The Blazers have actually been playing some really good basketball lately. They won five straight games before dropping their last two, and in their most recent game — one Avdija missed — they were still competitive.
On top of that, Jerami Grant looks like he’s trending toward a return. He’s questionable on the injury report and hasn’t played since December 18, but if he’s back, that’s a big offensive boost.
Grant was cooking in December, averaging around 23 points per game during that stretch, so if Avdija can’t go, I’m comfortable with Grant stepping back into a primary scoring role.
From a situational standpoint, this sets up well for Portland.
The Hawks have been on the road forever, playing seven of their last nine away from home and six of their last seven overall. They’ve only had two home games since December 29, and this is the final game of a four-game road trip.
Atlanta is coming off a day off in Los Angeles after getting blown out there, and that kind of spot — long road trip, tough loss, ready to head home — is one I usually look to fade.
Atlanta had won three straight before that Lakers loss, but listening to the press conferences and following the general vibe around the team, it felt like they believed they had already done what they needed to do on this trip.
That mentality showed up in L.A., where they didn’t really show up at all.
Hawks vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Betting Analysis
Even if Avdija sits, the +4.5 spread feels like too many points against an Atlanta team that gives up plenty of buckets defensively.
Portland isn’t a great scoring team, but this is a favorable scheduling spot, they’re getting healthier, and they’re playing at home in the Pacific Northwest while the Hawks are just trying to finish the trip and get back home.
For all these reasons, I’m backing the Trail Blazers +4.5 against the Hawks.
Pick: Trail Blazers +4.5
Trail Blazers vs Hawks Betting Trends
