The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks meet for a season-opening battle Wednesday. Tip-off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Raptors vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Toronto won 2-1
Toronto didn’t do much in the offseason outside of drafting F Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, a forearm injury will keep the South Carolina product out of the opener. The Raptors’ main focus early will be to figure out their main rotations, especially with their wings, so look for Atlanta so see a lot of different lineups and different defenders throughout this game. F Brandon Ingram will finally make his Raptors debut after being acquired in a trade Feb. 6, but he was unable to play due to a left ankle injury. Look for him to be a key player if Toronto is to do well this season.
Atlanta did a major re-tool in the offseason, trading for F Kristaps Porzingis and G Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while also signing a 3-point sniper in G Luke Kennard. The Hawks are also going to have rising star F Jalen Johnson back after he missed much of last season with a torn labrum in his shoulder. After a season in which he led the NBA in assists per game (11.6), All-Star G Trae Young is entering this season with what is considered to be the best supporting cast he’s ever had.
Raptors at Hawks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:50 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Raptors +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Hawks -225 (bet $225 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Raptors +5.5 (-110) | Hawks -5.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 235.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Raptors at Hawks key injuries
Raptors
F Collin Murray-Boyles (forearm) outG Ja’Kobe Walter (illness) out
Hawks
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Raptors at Hawks picks and predictionsPrediction
Hawks 117, Raptors 115
PASS.
With the Hawks (-225) being fully healthy and their new additions being ready to play, they are the better team and should win. However, it’s not smart sports gambling to risk betting on a team at this ML price. AVOID and bet on the spread and/or O/U instead.
LEAN RAPTORS +5.5 (-110).
When a team has as many good defenders as this Toronto squad, there’s always a good chance that games will be close, which is the case here. This Atlanta team is talented, but with numerous new key pieces, it will likely take some time for things to click. Look for the Raptors defense to find some success during this Hawks’ trial-and-error period.
The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 matchups against the Hawks and are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 trips to Atlanta.
However, this is only a LEAN because Atlanta is the more talented club and its 3-point-shooting advantage makes a comfortable win more of a threat.
BET UNDER 235.5 (-105).
With both teams looking to incorporate new pieces heading into this matchup, there likely will be growing pains on both sides. Expect early offenses lapses to help the UNDER 235.5 (-105) come in. The Under is 2-1-1 in the last 4 head-to-head meetings.
With this total (235.5) being set so high, I doubt Atlanta’s ability to click enough offensively to get that number to hit, especially because Toronto’s offensive flow and fit is in question at the moment.
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