Wizards vs. Hawks Prediction and Odds: Atlanta Undervalued as Favorites

The Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks tip-off this week with a Monday night matchup of Southeast Division rivals. Washington heads to the State Farm Arena with a spiffy 5-1 record to start the season thanks to some offseason roster upgrades such as Bradley Beal. The Wizards are coming on a three-game win streak with one of those games coming against the Hawks. The Celtics were the victims of the other two losses with the Nets the only team to best the Wizards so far.
Things have not been quite as impressive to start the season in Atlanta. The Hawks, who made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, are .500 to start the year with a 3-3 record. The Hawks are also coming off back-to-back losses to the Sixers and Wizards. Turnovers and bad shooting have plagued this team early on so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back against a team that just beat them a few days ago. Here are the odds for this Eastern Conference battle courtesy of WynnBET: 

Wizards vs. Hawks Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• Wizards: +5.5 (-110)
• Hawks: -5.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Wizards: +200
• Hawks: -240

Total: 

• 221.0 (Over -110/Under -110)

Wizards vs. Hawks How to Watch

• Washington Wizards (5-1, 2-1 Away) vs. Atlanta Hawks (3-3, 2-0 Home)
• Date:Nov 1, 2021
• Time: 7:30 PM ET
• TV: NBA League Pass
• Venue: State Farm Arena

Wizards vs. Hawks Prediction and Pick

On the face of things, the Wizards as an underdog appear to be the play here. At first glance, the 5-1 Wizards make a great value. But, there are some reasons to second guess this hot start. First of all, this team lost 8 of 9 games in the summer league. Nothing world-ending but still not a great sign.

Additionally, their wins have come in very close games and some were helped along by the other team. The Raptors, for example, shot less than 20 percent from behind the arc yet kept jacking up threes, eventually hitting just five of 27. These are early-season mistakes and not something I would count on to be a problem for the Raptors moving forward. I am not saying that the Wizards are a bad team, but they are not going to lead the Southwest Division for an extended period of time this season. Even with their revamped roster. 

All this is to say that I think the Hawks, despite a worse record, have earned their status as home favorites in this game. But, can they make good and cover this 5.5 point spread? 

One thing that helps their case is the situation with Rui Hachimura. It’s a strange story to be sure, but the Wizards young forward has been notably absent from, well every team activity since September. He was given some time to deal with “personal issues” but the team says they haven’t heard from him at all and hasn’t been anywhere near the practice facility.

I think that the Wizards’ days atop the division are nearing an end and the Hawks will help tonight with a win and cover at home. 

Prediction: Atlanta Hawks -5.5 (-110)