Game Time: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 

Venue:   State Farm Arena, Atlanta Georgia

Where to Watch: TNT

DraftKings:  Spread:  Hawks -4.5; O/U 236.5

Fanduel:  Spread:  Hawks -5; O/U 236.5

BetMGM:  Spread: Hawks -4.5: O/U 236.5

Hornets: 43-39, 9th place Eastern Conference

Hawks: 43-39, 10th place Eastern Conference

An NBA Eastern Conference Play-In game between nearly identical 9th and 10th place teams.  They are so identical, they have the same barely above .500 records.  They are so identical that they both have young star point guards. They are so identical that they both have terrible defenses.  They are so identical that they are both missing an important piece to the starting lineup because of injury.  They are so identical that no one believes either of them will get past the next Play-In tournament game… even if they win this one.  Still strange things can and do happen… so either of these identical teams could be in a first round play-off series.  The Question of course is who do we bet on?

The Charlotte Hornets have won 6 of their last ten games.  They went 6-4 ATS during that stretch.  They closed the NBA regular season on a 3-game winning streak and a 3-0 ATS streak.  It’s not an amazing streak since they beat Orlando, Chicago, and Washington during that run… but a win is a win.  The team basically revolves around Leading scorer PF Miles Bridges, 20.2 ppg… and hot shot PG LaMelo Ball, 20.1 ppg and 7.6 apg. Those two guys are the driving force for an offense that scores 115.3 ppg and has the ability to run other teams out of the gym.  The stars get help from veteran role players like SG Terry Rozier and PF PJ Washington.  Their achilles heel is they are awful on defense… as a team they give up  114.9 ppg to opponents… That’s right they give up almost exactly what the high-powered offense scores.  The problem is C Mason Plumlee… No disrespect, Mason Plumlee is not outstanding in any category.  This coming NBA draft will require that the Hornets look for a long-term replacement PLUS this coming free agent summer will require that the Hornets outright sign a short-term replacement.  The Hornets are missing the oft-injured former all-star SF Gordon Hayward… if he were able to play the offense would be even more potent… and the defense would be even weaker.  The Hornets have a roster that desperately needs defense.  Part of LaMelo Ball’s next step to superstar status would be adding some defense to his own game. Throughout the year the Hornets have been a good betting opportunity going 45-35-2 ATS.  They have all the tools they need to beat Atlanta in one game.. Though not enough tools to beat anyone in a Playoff series.

The Atlanta Hawks have won 7 of their last ten games.  They went 7-3 ATS during that stretch.  The Hawks are led by PG Trae Young ... a scoring machine at 28.4 ppg… Trae also leads the team in assists with 9.7 per game.  Trae is the engine of the Hawks.  If the Hornets had a defensive stopper then putting that guy on Trae would just about get the win… the Hornets do not.  The team's second best player is PF John Collins with 16.2 ppg, and 7.8 rpg.  John is also a capable defender… there was some question earlier in the season of whether he played well with Trae or not and right up to the trade deadline several insiders thought he would be on the move.  The Hawks held on to him… and now he is out with injury.  Plantar Fasciitis tear in his right foot.  Taking John Collins place in the lineup is PF Danilo Galinari, a 14 year vet… Danilo has had some huge offensive games for the Hawks and basically huge offensive games for all five of the NBA teams that he has played on.  The reason he has not stuck around anywhere is, you guessed it, his defense is beyond suspect.   

Sean Murphy is 8-1 his last 9 NBA Totals, and 38-19 his last 57! Now it's time for Sean's 10* NBA Play-In Tourney Total of the Year! Go get it!  You can discover the best picks right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. NCAAF, NFL, MLB, college football… get positive value from all your bets! Expert picks!  Fun fact… winning a wager is much better than making a wager!

Charlotte is 43-39 on the season, but 45-35-2 ATS.  THye have logged 40 Overs, 41 Unders, and 1 Push.  They are 21-20 on the road.

Atlanta is 43-39 on the season, but 37-45 ATS.  They have notched 43 Overs and 39 Unders.  They are 27-14 in home games.

The Hornets are 4th in scoring with 115.3 ppg, 12th in rebounds with 44.6 per game, and 2nd in AST/TO ratio with 2.1.  On defense they rank 25th while allowing 114.9 ppg.

The Hawks are 6th in scoring with 113.9 ppg, 20th in rebounds with 44 per game, and 4th in AST/TO ratio with 2.1. On defense they rank 21st while allowing 112.4 ppg from opponents.

Our prediction for Wednesday, April 13th is….. Hornets 118 - Hawks 114

This will be a dramatic battle between two top of the game point guards.  Each team will “go” as their star PG goes.  Both teams will struggle to get stops.  The likely outcome is a close game… and in the event that either Trae Young or LaMelo Ball hits a buzzers beating, game winning shot…. If you bet on the Hornets you have 4.5 points to play with and a game winner either way is a winner for you.

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Charlotte is 39-29 ATS versus Atlanta since 1996.

18 of 34 games in this series have gone Under since 1996.

Atlanta is 69-48 ATS in home games over the last 3 seasons.

Hornets: SF Gordon Hayward (foot) Out

Hawks: PF John Collins (foot) Out

Hornets: SF Miles Bridges, PF PJ Washington, C Mason Plumlee, PG LaMelo Ball, SG Terry Roziers

Hawks: PF Danilo Gallinari, SF De’Andre Hunter, C Clint Capela, SG Kevin Huerter, PG Trae Young

Hornets: James Borrego

Hawks: Nate McMillan