NBA Betting Picks: Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks

Added on Jan 15, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

NBA betting on Saturday night features a non-conference matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets at the Phillips Arena. Atlanta is playing great basketball, and is now in 2nd place in the rugged Southeast Division just 3 1/2 games behind LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Houston is heading in the other direction, trying to stay ahead of Sacramento and Minnesota for the worst record in the West.

Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks
January 15, 2011 4:05 PM Pacific

The Atlanta Hawks were somewhat erratic at the start of the season, but ever since Joe Johnson returned from his elbow injury they’ve been one of the hottest teams in the league. They enter this game winning 10 of 13 SU and riding a 5 game winning streak. They’re also 8-5 ATS during that stretch and have covered 8 of their last 11 games. Houston is in horrible form at the moment having lost 8 of their last 10 SU going 1-7-2 ATS. When the Hawks are playing up to their abilities their depth and athleticism is almost overwhelming–reminiscent of the great Clyde Drexler/Terry Porter Portland Trailblazers teams when it seemed like every position on the floor was a huge matchup disadvantage for most teams.

Scheduling also strongly favors the Hawks who have been off since Wednesday and due to a postponement caused by the major snowstorm in the Atlanta area have only played twice in the past ten days. Houston is off a tough overtime loss at home against New Orleans and this will be their third game in the past four days. Rockets are 3-15 SU/5-12-1 ATS against teams with winning records. This is a bad tactical matchup for Houston and made even worse due to the relative scheduling situation. Atlanta won’t play again until they face Sacramento at home on Monday and in a division with Miami and Orlando every win is important.

Bet Atlanta Hawks -7′ over Houston Rockets