There’s always that one tricky team all the contenders want to avoid in the playoffs. And right now, the Atlanta Hawks are that team in the East.
Atlanta has bullied its way up the Eastern Conference standings with an 18-3 record since the All-Star break, scoring recent wins over heavyweights like Boston and Detroit.
The Hawks take a step back in competition tonight, traveling to the Big Apple as 16.5-point road favorites against the Brooklyn Nets. But while the oddsmakers expect an easy win for Atlanta, this team really has no chill.
Our Hawks vs. Nets predictions like how things shake out for Atlanta’s lineup, especially big man Onyeka Okongwu.
My NBA picks take his points prop tonight.
Hawks vs Nets prediction
Hawks vs Nets best bet: Onyeka Okongwu Over 13.5 Points (-120)
Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu is logging a lot of minutes in recent games after sharing shifts with fellow big Jock Landale most of the season.
Landale has been in and out of the Hawks' lineup and will not be on the court against the Brooklyn Nets tonight after injuring his ankle in a blowout win over Orlando on Wednesday. That has Okongwu putting in work against a terrible Nets interior.
While Okongwu can do damage in the key, he’s not just a bruiser. The Southern Cal product has range from outside and is shooting the ball well from deep, knocking down 10 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc the past four games.
Brooklyn is getting roughed up from inside and out. The Nets have pretty much given up defending 3-pointers, sitting dead last in opponent success from distance.
Brooklyn also allows the sixth most points in the paint, and its frontcourt limps into Friday with starters Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney dealing with several issues, including illness.
Okongwu has scored 16 and 20 points in the past two games, and with his minutes peaking with Landale out, player projections call for between 14 and 16 points versus Brooklyn tonight.
My number comes out to 14.8 points with respect to a much higher ceiling.
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Hawks vs Nets same-game parlay
The Hawks just roasted the Magic by 29 points and need to keep the wins coming as they chase Cleveland for the No. 4 seed in the East. Brooklyn, on the other hand, only has a few more games to drop to last in the league and a better shot at the No. 1 overall pick.
Around the Covers office, there are days known as “Jonathan Kuminga games”. This could be one of them. The Hawks are trying to get their sixth man on track ahead of the playoffs, and with a sizable spread, the bench will see extra floor time.
Kuminga can explode for big nights when he wants, and the Nets don’t offer much pushback.
Hawks vs Nets SGP
- Atlanta Hawks -16.5
- Onyeka Okongwu Over 13.5 points
- Jonathan Kuminga Over 11.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Oh Wow, Onyeka!
Onyeka Okongwu makes the most of his extra minutes against a bad Brooklyn frontcourt. Not only is he projected to top his scoring prop, but models call for as many as 11 rebounds and three assists. He hung a similar stat line against Boston two games ago.
Hawks vs Nets SGP
- Hawks -16.5
- Onyeka Okongwu Over 13.5 points
- Onyeka Okongwu Over 7.5 rebounds
- Onyeka Okongwu Over 2.5 assists
Hawks vs Nets odds
- Spread: Hawks -16.5 | Nets +16.5
- Moneyline: Hawks -1700 | Nets +950
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Hawks vs Nets betting trend to know
The Nets do nothing with all those points being handed over by oddsmakers. Brooklyn is 12-22-1 ATS as a double-digit underdog, including going 4-10 ATS when catching +10 or more at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Nets.
How to watch Hawks vs Nets
| Location | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
| Date | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN SE-ATL, YES |
Hawks vs Nets latest injuries
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