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The Atlanta Hawks will host the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 4 of this best-of-seven playoff series. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a 76ers-Hawks prediction and pick.
Philadelphia got out a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a 127-111 win over the Hawks in Game 3. Game 4 will present an opportunity for the 76ers to take full control of this series as it shifts back to Philadelphia. Atlanta had won the battle of the benches in the first two games and will have to get back to that in Game 4 if they want to even the series.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening 76ers-Hawks odds.
NBA Odds: 76ers-Hawks Odds
Philadelphia 76ers -3 (-107)
Atlanta Hawks +3 (-113)
Over 225.5 Points (-110)
Under 225.5 Points (-110)
Why The 76ers Could Cover The Spread
The Philadelphia 76ers have returned back to form after a crushing loss in game 1 against the Hawks. They’ve won the past two by a combined 32 points and have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in Game 4. The depth that Philadelphia possesses on this roster was on full display in their dominant Game 3 victory.
MVP runner-up Joel Embiid has been playing well in this series despite running on a torn meniscus. Embiid put together a solid performance in their recent win with 27 points, nine boards, and eight assists. He and Ben Simmons seem to be gelling at the perfect time as the 76ers point guard also showed well with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.
Tobias Harris is an elite third option and put together another productive outing with 22 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting from the field in Game 3. With guys like Seth Curry, Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, and Dwight Howard rounding out the roster, this 76ers team is locked and loaded for a deep run. Their bench outscored the Hawks by 16 points in Game 3 and if they replicate that performance, Game 4 will result in another comfortable victory for Doc Rivers bunch.
Why The Hawks Could Cover The Spread
The Atlanta Hawks continue to show that they are for real despite the two consecutive 16-point losses. The Hawks’ 13-game home winning streak was snapped in Game 3. Atlanta feeds off of the success of their superstar point guard Trae Young and if Game 3 was any indicator, Atlanta should be in a good position heading into Game 4.
Trae Young bounced back from a poor shooting night in Game 2 with a 28 point performance on 9-of-17 shooting from the field in Game 3. He added three long balls and dished out eight assists in the recent loss. The 76ers have really put an emphasis on slowing the point guard down and it’ll be up to Young to create more open looks for his running mates in this crucial Game 4.
With John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Danilo Gallinari all scoring at least 17 points in the loss, it’s clear that the Hawks have the depth to compete with the 76ers. Clint Capela had a rough shooting night in Game 3 and if he can regain his efficiency on the block, the Hawks will return to form. He collected 16 rebounds in the loss, which seems to be a norm for the big man. Atlanta’s bench will be the difference as they’ve won the battle of the second unit in two of the first three games.
Final 76ers-Hawks Prediction & Pick
Although the Philadelphia 76ers are clearly the better team in this series, I refuse to overlook the success that Atlanta has had on their home floor lately. The Hawks are 13-1 at State Farm Arena dating back to April 15th. Their home crowd will be the true six-man in this game and the Hawks will get back to their shooting ways in this critical Game 4. Nate McMillan is a great coach and he will rally his guys in a near must-win situation. Philadelphia will almost certainly win this series, but this young Hawks team that has already exceeded expectations will come out with a nothing-to-lose mentality. Look for big games from Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic on the perimeter.
FINAL PICK: Atlanta Hawks +3 (-113)
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