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Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks Free Preview 03/30/18

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers (44-30) look to continue their eight-game winning streak against the Atlanta Hawks (21-54) at Philips Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 30, 2018.

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks ATS Prediction

The 76ers will be hoping for similar success after beating the New York Knicks in their last matchup, 118-101. The 76ers held the Knicks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.5 (below their season average of 24.5) and had a turnover percentage of 9.8 (better than their season average of 14.5). With 26 points on 9-for-19 shooting, Dario Saric was the top scorer from either team.

The last time the Hawks played, they fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 126-114. Minnesota’s 11.6 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Atlanta, who had a mark of 18.7. The Timberwolves’ mark was worse than their season average of 11.0, while the Hawks’ was above their season average of 13.7. Atlanta’s Dewayne Dedmon contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds in the game.

Atlanta might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Philadelphia ranks fourth in defensive efficiency while the Hawks rank 26th in offensive efficiency. It could also be an error-filled game for the 76ers’ offense, which ranks 30th in ball protection (turnover percentage of 16.0 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Hawks, which forces the fifth-most turnovers in the NBA (14.9 percent).

Philadelphia comes into the contest with records of 44-30 straight up (SU) and 43-31 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of 76ers games, with 37 overs compared to 36 unders.

Meanwhile, Atlanta is 21-54 SU and 35-38-2 ATS. Unlike Philadelphia, Hawks games have a slight tendency to finish under the total (50.7 percent).

Saric and Marco Belinelli have played at a high level over the last five games for Philadelphia. Saric has averaged 13.6 points per game. Not to be outdone, Belinelli has recorded 15.8 points a game during that span.

This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Joel Embiid recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists and the 76ers defeated the Hawks 119-109, covering as 7.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 228 points, which was 19 points above the projected point total of 209 points. The 76ers had a better offensive rebounding percentage (28.8 vs. 24.0) and had a better turnover percentage (12.7 vs. 14.5).

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks Betting Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – Hawks, ATS Winner – Hawks, O/U – Under

Notes

Betting Notes:

Philadelphia is 18-20 ATS on the road with 21 overs and 17 unders.

Atlanta is 18-19 ATS at home with 19 overs, 16 unders and 2 pushes.

When holding opponents below 100 points, Atlanta is 10-4 and Philadelphia is 18-0.

The 76ers are 41-18 when they reach 100 points, while the Hawks are 18-30.

Philadelphia averages 26.5 assists per game, which ranks second in the league. Atlanta ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (26.1).

The Hawks average 17.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The 76ers rank last in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.9).

Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds per game (47.1) while Atlanta ranks 25th (41.4).

The 76ers rank fourth in fast break points allowed per game (10.3) while the Hawks rank 23rd (13.1).

Philadelphia ranks eighth in steals per game (8.0) while Atlanta ranks 26th in steals allowed per game (8.7).

The 76ers rank ninth in points in the paint per game (46.4) while the Hawks rank 26th (41.1).

Philadelphia averages 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Atlanta ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.4).

The 76ers rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (29.5) while the Hawks rank 25th in three pointers allowed per game (30.5).

Philadelphia averages 13.7 second chance points per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Atlanta ranks 18th in second chance points allowed per game (12.9).

Bettings Trends:

In their last five games, Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.

Atlanta is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.

The 76ers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.4, up from 3.4 for the season.

During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 99.2 points per game (4.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 109.8 points per game (0.6 above their season average).

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Written by GMS Previews

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