The Cleveland Cavaliers (12-7) and Atlanta Hawks (11-8) meet in NBA Cup group play Friday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cavaliers lead 1-0
The Cavs won the first meeting 117-109 Nov. 2 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland as a 6.5-point favorite as the Under (231) cashed. G Donovan Mitchell finished with 37 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, a block, eight 3-pointers and 12-of-21 shooting. Hawks F Jalen Johnson had 23 points and 13 rebounds, while C Kristaps Porzingis posted 15 points, 12 rebounds and a block.
The Cavaliers lost 110-99 to their kryptonite, the Toronto Raptors, Monday in a road loss as 1.5-point underdogs as the Under (231.5) cashed. Cleveland is 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in the past 4 games and 3-7 ATS in the past 10 games. The Under has hit in 6 straight.
The Hawks were crushed 132-113 at the Washington Wizards Tuesday as 11-point favorites as the Over (240.5) cashed. Atlanta has dropped 3 of the past 5 games while going 1-4 ATS in that span. The Under is 2-1 in the past 3 games.
Cavaliers 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 10:20 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Hawks +185 (bet $100 to win $185)Against the spread: Cavaliers -6.5 (-105) | Hawks +6.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 237.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Cavaliers at Hawks injuries
Cavaliers
C Jarrett Allen (finger) probableG Sam Merrill (hand) outG Craig Porter Jr. (hamstring) questionableF Max Strus (foot) outF Dean Wade (knee) questionable
Hawks
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Cavaliers at Hawks picks and predictionsPrediction
Cavaliers 126, Hawks 114
PASS.
The Cavaliers (-225) will cost you more than twice your potential return, and that’s far too much risk for not nearly enough reward. If you used a boost or promo, it might be acceptable, and playing Cleveland as part of a parlay is fine. But do not play it straight up.
The CAVALIERS -6.5 (-105) are worth a look, as Cleveland should be able to get the job done by at least 4 buckets. The Cavs have won and covered each of the past 2 meetings, while going 5-3 straight up/ATS in the past 8 in the series since Nov. 28, 2023.
On the flip side, the Hawks are 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games, and just 1-3 ATS in the previous 4 showings at home.
The OVER 237.5 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Over is on a 6-2 run in the past 8 games for the Hawks, as they’ve allowed at least 120 points in 5 of the past 7 games.
Cleveland has cashed low in 6 straight, but prior to that, it had cashed high in 6 in a row. This is an offense that can perform at a high level.
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