Sixers @ Hawks: Back Hawks to add to impressive home record
The Hawks got a significant bump when De’Andre Hunter returned for their first round series against the Knicks, but that upward trend has been stopped in its tracks after Hunter has been forced to miss the first two games and is now out for the remainder of the playoffs.
On top of that, John Collins was a shell of who he was on Sunday. While he was much better in the rebounding department, he only provided Atlanta with eight points of offense after a 21-point effort in their Game 1 win. It also didn’t help that Bogdan Bogdanovic saw a reduction in his scoring numbers from 21 to 14 and shot just 37.5 percent from the field.
The Hawks did get an uptick from Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari combining for 41, but the Hawks just didn’t have an answer for Joel Embid, who finished with 40. They also benefited greatly from Seth Curry scoring 21 and Shake Milton 14 while going a combined 9-for-11 from three. For 35 points. I don’t think that happens again.
In my series preview as well as some of my futures to win the east a few months ago, that I liked the Sixers, but couldn’t subscribe to the idea that Joel Embiid would be able to play and remain healthy for two-straight months. He’s looked good in this series so far, but I think it will start to take a toll on him, though it might not be tonight.
I also wrote that I didn’t think that Ben Simmons would be able to go two months without those nights where he disappears. In Game 2, he had just four points on three shots with seven assists three rebounds and a pair of steals. But Milton and Curry’s performances overshadowed Simmons’ stat line, so the Ben Simmons on a milk carton memes won’t be back for at least another game. You’re safe for now Ben.
But the series now moves back to Atlanta, and am excited to see how things change. Atlanta was one of the league’s best team at home this season at 27-11 this season, including a dominant stretch after making Nate McMillan head coach.
Only five teams were better than Atlanta at home this season, Philly being one of them. On the road, Philly is just 21-17 on the road.
According to TeamRankings, Atlanta was third in the league against the spread at home.
I like Atlanta at +105 in this spot to take a lead in this series.
For our prop of the night, I’m taking the under on Danny Green’s Points+Rebounds+assists at under 14.5. You can get it at -103 at 888Sport, BetRivers and Unibet and can be found at BetMGM at -130.
