A little getaway can work wonders. That’s the case for the Portland Trail Blazers, who have blown through the first four games of their current six-game road trip heading into stop No. 5 to play the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.
The Blazers were mired in a five-game slump before this away stretch and have now played themselves into contention for fifth place in the West while trying to avoid sliding into the play-in tournament. Portland is a slight NBA betting underdog in Atlanta.
Here are our free NBA picks and predictions for Trail Blazers vs. Hawks on May 3.
Trail Blazers vs Hawks odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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NBA Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonDraftKings bounced around a bit on this number, opening at Hawks -1.5, rising to -2, dropping to -1, then this afternoon moving out to -2.5, where the line remains at 5 p.m. ET. However, the betting splits bely the later movement, with the Trail Blazers taking 65 percent of tickets and 58 percent of money on the spread. The total moved from 236.5 to 234.5 to 235.5 on two-way action, with 51 percent of tickets/53 percent of dollars on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameTrail Blazers at Hawks betting preview
Injuries
Trail Blazers: Zach Collins C (Out).
Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic G (Probable), Tony Snell F (Questionable), De'Andre Hunter F (Out), Cam Reddish F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Hawks are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games as home favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Hawks.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
Portland is playing the second game of a back-to-back, having worn down Boston in the final two quarters for a 129-119 victory Sunday. The Trail Blazers’ offense has been scorching hot during this road trip, averaging 130 points and shooting 49.7 percent from the field, including a 47 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
That’s a stark contrast to the Hawks’ output in their last four contests. Atlanta has sputtered for an average of only 95.3 points while shooting just over 41 percent from the floor. Granted, injuries had their lineup playing musical chairs most nights and three of those games came on the road (two against Philadelphia’s stingy defense).
Atlanta is a much tougher test at home, where it has won five in a row (5-0 ATS). The Hawks defeated Chicago 108-97 as 8.5-point chalk Saturday and own an average margin of victory of 6.1 points inside State Farm Arena this month. On the season, ATL has been ATS gold at home, boasting a 19-11 mark against the spread as a host (63 percent)
While they’re still without some key members of their frontcourt, the Hawks are about as healthy as they’ve been all month heading into Monday. Star scorer Trae Young is rounding back into his thrilling form after playing on a bum ankle and backcourt mate Bogdan Bogdanovic is probable versus Portland, working his way back from a tender hamstring.
The homecourt edge and the Blazers’ shaky defense playing on zero rest will help Atlanta rekindle its scoring touch and cover this short spread Monday.
PREDICTION: Atlanta -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Young versus Damian Lillard is the closest we’re going to get to real-life NBA Jam. With the way these scorers are playing, the only thing missing is CGI flames billowing from their shots.
Young has scored a collective 65 points in his past two efforts, shooting 19 for 35 from the field with a 6-for-14 mark from 3-point range. Those efforts set the bar high for Lillard, who is notorious for stepping up to a challenge. He scored 36 points versus the Hawks when they last met back in mid-January: a 112-106 home win for Portland.
Lillard wasn’t as explosive in the first two games of this road trip, getting great scoring support from his teammates, but has posted a combined 58 points in the past two outings, knocking down 20 of 40 from the floor, including an 11-for-22 stretch from distance.
The Blazers are playing at a much quicker pace during this road swing, upping the tempo from a pace rating of 99.0 on the season to 103.13 the past four contests. That’s pushed three of the last four games Over the total.
With Portland turning this game into a shootout and Atlanta capable of countering on offense, with seven active players averaging double-figures, this will be an enjoyable Over for NBA bettors.
PREDICTION: Over 235.5 (-110)
First quarter prop pick
The Trail Blazers don’t waste time lighting up the scoreboard, leading the NBA in first-quarter points per game entering Monday. And during this current road swing, Portland has answered the opening bell with huge haymakers, averaging 32.3 points in the first 12 minutes of action.
Atlanta posted 31 first-quarter points in Saturday’s home win over Chicago and has scored an average of 30 points in the opening frame during its current five-game home winning streak.
When these teams clashed back on January 16, they combined for 72 total points in the first quarter and will set the tone for a high-scoring finish in the first frame tonight.
PREDICTION: First quarter Over 60.5 points (-102)
Trail Blazers vs Hawks betting card
- Atlanta -1.5 (-110)
- Over 235.5 (-110)
- First quarter Over 60.5 points (-102)
Picks made on 5/3/2021 at 9:00 a.m. ET
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