Atlanta Hawks (9-13) vs. Toronto Raptors (9-14)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors 12/15/23 – The struggling Atlanta Hawks face off against the equally struggling Toronto Raptors on Friday night. Both teams find themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and will be hungry to string some wins together. This cross-conference matchup features All-Star point guards Trae Young and Pascal Siakam facing off. Fans and bettors looking for the best NBA tips will find this game particularly intriguing due to the closely matched records of both teams.
The Hawks’ offense has been solid, averaging 122.2 points per game. However, their defense has been porous allowing the 4th most points in the league. Trae Young leads the league in assists, dishing out 10.5 per game. His scoring is down a bit this year but he is still averaging 26.8 points. Young will look to penetrate and kick out to Hawks’ sharpshooters as they lead the NBA in 3-point percentage.
The Raptors have struggled to find any consistency on either end of the court. This game will come down to which team can impose their will and style of play on the other.Siakam has taken on more playmaking duties for Toronto this season, increasing his assists to 4.9 per game while still averaging 20.7 points. His midrange game has been excellent but the Raptors struggle from beyond the arc.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 15, 2023, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Scotiabank Arena |
| TV: | TSN |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Trae Young (PG) vs. Pascal Siakam (PF)
Trae Young has quickly cemented himself into elite point guard status in just his fifth season. He leads the league in total assists and assists per game while scoring prolifically despite lack of size and strength to keep up with larger guards on defense.
Pascal Siakam has elevated his game this season, expanding on his playmaking and still scoring over 20 points per game. His versatility allows him to score from all three levels on offense while his height wingspan allows him to guard multiple positions defensively – something Siakam plans on taking advantage of against Trae Young when available.
Trae Young and Pascal Siakam are two of the most dynamic offensive players in basketball, both possessing the potential to take control of games with their scoring and playmaking. Their supporting casts will play an instrumental role in which star player can exert his will over a game; ultimately defense and effort could decide the outcome in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Betting odds have not yet been established, but once available it will provide valuable insights. The bettor must carefully evaluate teams’ performances and trends when considering these elements when placing bets.
Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends
The Atlanta Hawks have struggled against the spread lately, failing to cover in 5 straight contests. As underdogs they have been solid, covering in 8 of their 14 games as the dog. The over has hit in 3 of their last 5 overall. Atlanta plays at the 5th fastest pace and scores the 6th most points per game.
Toronto Raptors Betting Trends
Toronto Raptors has also struggled against the spread going just 10-15 on the year. As home favorites the Raptors are 3-7 ATS this season. The over has hit in just 2 of Toronto’s previous 5 outings. The Raptors play at one of the slowest paces in the NBA.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors 12/15/23 Betting Picks
This game will feature two high powered offenses led by superstar point guards. Both teams struggle defensively and play at one of the fastest paces in the league. Take the over as this has the makings of a shootout.
The Atlanta Hawks have been solid against the spread as underdogs, covering 8 of 14 while Toronto has struggled as home favorites. Atlanta also has more momentum entering this contest. Trae Young over 28.5 points is also a strong prop play. He should be able to exploit Toronto’s defense. Best handicapper insights favor Atlanta plus the points or the over in this contest.
Free Pick and Prediction: Atlanta Hawks 117, Toronto Raptors 114