Toronto Raptors at Atlanta Hawks, Hawks -5.5, total is 198

Today is a great day. It is Monday and there is afternoon hoops thanks to MLK day in the United States. The Raptors play the Hawks at 2pm ET and I will be able to sit back and enjoy the game in my warm house and it won’t matter if the Raps lose because it is better than working. Now all we need is for the Hawks to take the day off, otherwise it will be raining 3-balls all day long. I am secretly hoping for this JO-Matrix trade to happen but can something that good actually happen? Will the Raps go with their unusual lineup again that produced great offense and no defense yesterday? Personally I think it is the only way they have a shot at beating the Hawks but the Raps are so random, they may play great D today and score no points. The only thing that is a sure bet is I will be calling it a day early and parking it on the couch. Enjoy.

Here is everything you need to know about this afternoon’s game.

The Goods

  • The Hawks will try for only their third win since Jan. 1 today. Atlanta has a 2-6 mark in 2009 and has dropped five of its last six.
  • The Hawks have allowed 100 or more points in six of their last eight games.
  • They have held the Raptors to less than 100 points in two meetings, but have split those games, winning 110-92 at home on Nov. 7 and falling 93-88 in Toronto on Nov. 28.
  • Already missing Al Horford, Atlanta could be without starting forward Marvin Williams, who was taken to a hospital Friday after hitting his head on the court when he was fouled in the second quarter.
  • Jermaine O’Neal rested his sore right knee Sunday, but is probable for today’s game.
  • Starting in place of O’Neal at center, Bargnani has averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. He has also hit 54.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.

For Bettors

  • The over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Atlanta.
  • The favorite is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
  • The over is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.

Prediction

It is getting way too easy to keep calling Raptors losses so for kicks I am going to say that somehow they get it done today. The Hawks are banged up and are probably all too focused on Obama-mania. Bosh plays good in Georgia with the G-Tech roots, so we are calling for a great game from him and his Italian running mate. Raps win 90-85 in a rather ugly game.

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