Atlanta is a 6.5-point favorite, up a half-point from the opener. The total is 198.5, which is down a half-point from the first posted total. Public money has 53 percent of bets on the underdog Wizards with 64 percent of bettors choosing the over. After getting off to a splendid spread start, the Hawks are only 18-25-2 recently after a 32-10-2 start to the season. They are 2-7 their last nine by -4.55 points per game against the spread. Washington has been a covering machine, cashing in seven straight with four of the last five by at least 11 points. Their margin of cover last five is -11.1 points per game. Washington has gone under 7-of-8 and 8-of-10, going over by an average of 13.1 in the latter span.
The Wizards have the best net rating in the postseason at +16.1. Net rating is the difference between offensive and defensive ratings points per 100 possessions. Washington has the best playoff offense at 112.2 points per 100 possessions with the Hawks in the middle at 103. However, it is two of the top five playoff defenses, Washington at No. 2 allowing a mere 96.1 points per 100 possessions, Atlanta 100.8.
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