Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions, Picks, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

The Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament will conclude on Friday night with a blockbuster win-or-go-home matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Coverage begins from Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Score Prediction

Hawks 112, Cavaliers 106

Best Bets

Under 223.5 (-110) at DraftKings

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Updated on 04/19/2024

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Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions

After finishing 13^th in the East with a record of 22-50 SU last year, Cleveland bounced back to a surprisingly excellent start to this season, as the Cavaliers opened with an impressive 35-21 SU and 34-20-2 ATS stretch – despite getting tagged as underdogs in 28 of those contests.

However, Cleveland has been incredibly inconsistent since the All-Star Break, considering the Cavs’ enter Friday’s Play-In game riding a frustrating 9-18 SU and 10-16-1 ATS skid – while scoring just 109.9 OPPG and surrendering 113.4 DPPG across that window.

On the other hand, Atlanta posted a surprisingly poor start to the season, as the Hawks kicked things off with a frustrating 16-25 SU and 14-27 ATS skid – despite getting tagged as favorites in 25 of those matchups.

Atlanta has played solid, yet inconsistent basketball since mid-January though, considering the Hawks boast records of 28-14 SU and 24-19 ATS across their last 42 games – while yielding lofty averages of 116.7 OPPG and 113.1 DPPG during that timeframe.

I’ll take the under here, as the Cavs’ are 3-8 SU and 4-7 ATS in their last 11 games, while scoring just 110.4 OPPG and allowing 113.5 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for a hard-fought defensive battle against a Hawks squad that’s surrendering 111.4 DPPG across their latest 6-2 ATS stretch. 

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds

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Updated on 04/19/2024

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Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Southeast vs. Central
• Date: Friday, April 15, 2022
• Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• Location: Cleveland. OH
• TV-Time: ESPN - 7:30 p.m. ET
• Injury Report
• NBA Playoff Betting Central

Atlanta Hawks Betting Analysis

• SU: 44-39
• ATS: 37-45
• O/U: 43-39

The Hawks were cursed with unrealistically high expectations after last year’s surprising Eastern Conference Finals run; however, Atlanta struggled miserably out of the gate, as Atlanta dropped 26-of-41 matchups to open the season, despite getting tagged as underdogs in just 15 of those contests.

The Hawks have played much better since New Year’s Day though, considering Atlanta enters Friday’s matchup riding a sturdy 28-14 SU and 24-19 ATS stretch – despite averaging a lofty 116.7 OPPG across that window.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Analysis

• SU: 44-39
• ATS: 42-37-3
• O/U: 37-44-1

After last year’s disappointing 22-50 SU showing, Cleveland barreled out to a surprisingly solid start to this season, as the Cavaliers kicked things off with an impressive 35-21 SU run – while leading the league in various defensive categories during that timeframe (102.4 DPPG, 1.032 DE).

However, the Cavs’ were far less dominant defensively down the homestretch, and their offense subsequently failed to pick up the slack, considering Cleveland enters the Play-In Tournament riding a miserable 9-18 SU skid – while surrendering 113.4 DPPG to their opponents across that timeframe.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Head-to-Head

The Cavaliers won two of three regular-season matchups against Atlanta last year, with all three contests staying under the total at an average of 197.3 PPG. However, Atlanta went 3-1 SU against Cleveland this season, with all three Hawks’ victories cruising over the total at an average of 239 PPG – while Cleveland’s lone win stayed under with a score of 101-95 (U 223).

Key Players to Watch

• ATL: Trae Young - PG (28.4 PPG, 3.7 REB, 9.7 AST)
• ATL: De'Andre Hunter - SF (13.4 PPG, 3.3 REB, 1.3 AST)
• CLE: Darius Garland - PG (21.7 PPG, 3.3 REB. 8.6 AST)
• CLE: Evan Mobley - C (15 PPG, 8.3 REB, 1.7 BLK)

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Conclusion

After stomping Charlotte at home in Wednesday’s nine-ten seed matchup (W, 132-103), the Hawks hit the road for Friday’s Play-In game as short favorites over the Cavs’ at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – marking the seventh time Cleveland has been an underdog across their last nine contests.

I’ll take the under here, as the Hawks are 6-2 SU and ATS in their last eight games, while allowing just 111.4 DPPG to their opponents during that span – setting the stage for a relatively low-scoring battle against a Cavs’ squad that’s scored 108 PTS or less in four of their last eight contests (110.4 OPPG).

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Bettin Trends

• The Hawks are 8-2 ATS in their last ten games.
• The Cavs' are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of the last six Hawks' games.
• The total has gone OVER in five of the last eight Cavs' games.
• The total has gone UNDER in six of the last ten matchups between Cleveland and Atlanta.
• The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five matchups against Cleveland.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson