Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Predictions, Odds, Picks

Oct. 30, 2021
Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Rematch energy is in the air in South Philadelphia. The Sixers get their first crack at the Hawks since Atlanta eliminated Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Sixers host the Hawks 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night in South Philadelphia.

Score Prediction

Hawks 112, Sixers 105

Best Bets

Hawks +4

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Predictions

The last time these two teams played, the Hawks stunned the Sixers on their homecourt in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semis. It’s been a wild couple of months for the Sixers as they continue to deal with the absence of Ben Simmons, and a lingering injury for Joel Embiid.

They aren’t getting consistent help to compensate Embiid’s struggles, and the 4th quarter has been a disappearing act for the Sixers big man. Tobias Harris and Seth Curry are charged with picking things up on the offensive end, and Tyrese Maxey is still adjusting to being the full-time point guard. The Sixers are still a playoff team without Simmons, but not anywhere as good nor deep as the Hawks.

The Hawks are one of the deeper teams in the East and are poised to make a run right back into the playoffs. The biggest change for Atlanta is Trae Young adjusting to the new “contact” on shots rule. Young has become a larger facilitator as the team is getting consistent offense fromJohn Collins and Cam Reddish.

Bogdan Bogdanovic was a hard matchup for the Sixers in the playoffs, and not having Simmons hurts Philly’s chances again. Kevin Huerter also killed Philly last year but is playing through injury. Philadelphia is never an easy place to play, but that’s with a healthy Embiid and an active Simmons. Without both, it’s hard to think the Sixers get the win.

The Sixers barely got by Detroit on Thursday night, which is more a reflection on Philadelphia than a winless Pistons team. The Sixers lost a ton of perimeter defense, only relying on Matisse Thybulle. Their offense took a hit with Embiid playing hurt, and they have zero frontcourt presence without him.

Both Curry and Harris are shooting the ball well, Harris at 52% and Curry at 62 %, but neither are cracking 20 ppg. Maxey was supposed to step into Simmons role from a facilitator standpoint, adding more offense, but neither has happened yet. Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz offer some ancillary support off the bench, but neither provide the volume to make a difference. Danny Green is absent. Averaging just under 6 PPG shooting 38.5 percent.

The Hawks have depth for days in the NBA which isn’t easy to establish. Each player has a role, and their second unit becomes super effective with Lou Williams and Danillo Gallinari back from injury. Huerter has struggled but it hasn’t mattered in any game result, as Reddish and DeAndre Hunter have picked up slack.

Clint Capela becomes a huge matchup problem for the Sixers without Embiid, putting all the stress on backup Andre Drummond to keep Capela off the boards. Even with Embiid on the floor, Capela was able to get boards and be a problem last year in the playoffs.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

  • Hawks +140
  • 76ers -160
  • Hawks +3.5 (-110)
  • 76ers -3.5 (-110)

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Southeast vs. Atlantic
  • Date: Saturday, October 30, 2021
  • Venue: Wells Fargo Center
  • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • TV-Time: NBATV - 7:30 p.m. ET

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Atlanta Hawks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 3-2
  • ATS: 2-3
  • O/U: 2-3

The new rule may be a problem for James Harden, but Young seems to be better adjusting. Young is at 24.5 PPG on 44.7 percent from the floor, but he’s at 10 APG and clearly making up for any issues scoring the basketball.

The Hawks nearly have two players who average double-doubles, Collins is at 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds, as Capela chips in another 10.2 RPG and 8.4 points. Reddish is shooting over 45 percent from the floor scoring 16 PPG and has been a huge upgrade when in the starting rotation. Hunter and Bogdanovic are each over 11 PPG to round out the bench.

Philadelphia 76ers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 3-2
  • ATS: 2-3
  • O/U: 2-3

Despite playing through a torn meniscus, Embiid is still leading the team with 21.4 PPG and 9.4 RPG. His numbers have been down from what we’ve seen from him at his best. Embiid is tied for 2 nd on the team with 4.2 APG, alongside Tobias Harris.

The Sixers only have one other player close to a 20 PPG average, and that’s Harris at 19.4 each night. Curry has been inconsistent enough where despite having two big games, he’s still at only 15.4 PPG. Maxey has been the biggest question as his productivity isn’t what the Sixers expected, averaging just 14.4 points and even worse, 3.6 assists.


The point total has gone UNDER in four straight games played between Atlanta and Philadelphia. (AP)

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Head-to-Head

The last time these two teams played each other it was game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi- Finals in South Philadelphia. While the Sixers are without Ben Simmons, no other major loss or departure from that game came down this offseason.

Key Players to Watch

  • ATL: Trae Young - PG (24.2 ppg, 10 apg)
  • ATL: Cam Reddish - SF (16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
  • PHI: Joel Embiid - C (21.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 4.2 apg)
  • PHI: Tobias Harris - PF (19.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.2 apg)

Injuries

  • ATL: Bogdan Bogdanovic - SG (DTD)
  • PHI: Ben Simmons - PG (Out)
  • PHI: Joel Embiid - C (DTD)

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Conclusion

Both teams come in with identical records at 3-2 on the year. They also have the same record against the spread, sitting at 2-3. The Hawks played back-to-backs Wednesday and Thursday night, most recently losing to the Wizards.

The Sixers seem to have figured out who they are in these five games without Simmons, lose to good teams and beat bad teams. Atlanta is a good team, better than Philadelphia without their All-NBA defender. Hawks are a 4-point road dog against a team that’s banged up and missing players, no narrative on the planet can overcome that spot for Philadelphia. Take the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

  • The point total has gone UNDER in four straight meetings.
  • Atlanta has won three of its last four games when facing Philadelphia.
  • Philadelphia has lost three straight games after winning the game prior.