Filip Tomic
Show Bio
The season is on the line for the Charlotte Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks as they meet up in Wednesday’s play-in tournament game. These teams split the regular-season series 2-2, so it promises to be an exciting matchup. Catch the game live on ESPN starting at 7:00 pm ET, and I’ve also prepared a same-game parlay which is available below.
After you’re done checking it out, be sure to also go through our predictions on the side and total for the rest of the NBA play-in tournament matchups.
Let’s dive in!
Atlanta Hawks 1-10 win margin (+175)
Trae Young to score 35+ points (+164)
LaMelo Ball to record 10+ assists (+124)
Parlay odds: +1347
Atlanta Hawks 1-10 win margin (+175)
This promises to be an exciting game with a ton of points scored, and I am giving the Hawks the advantage here for a few reasons. They’ve been really good at home this season, going 27-14 SU and covering in 23 of 41 games played there. They ended the season covering in 5 of their last 6 games at State Farm Arena, beating the likes of Memphis, Golden State, Cleveland and Brooklyn.
The Hornets held their ground in the 4 meetings between these 2 teams, winning twice, but the Hawks have the playoff experience from last season which could prove to be the difference here. I’m expecting a close outcome — 3 of the 4 games played were decided by 10 or less points. Take Atlanta at home in a close one.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young to score 35+ points (+164)
If your team’s season is on the line, I’d argue Trae Young is a top 5 player in the NBA that you’d love to have in that situation. Young has the clutch gene and what better stage than an elimination game to show that once again? He has been absolutely spectacular over the past 10 games averaging close to 30 points per game on 48.7% shooting from the field and averaging 11.2 assists per game as well. He finished the regular season with the most points scored and the most assists dished, becoming only the 2nd player ever since Tiny Archibald in 1972-73 to do so.
Just a couple of games ago, Young had 35 points against one of the elite defenses in Miami. Tonight, he’s playing a Charlotte team that ranks bottom of the NBA in most defensive stats, and I’m liking his chances to get hot in this one. He’s scored 35 or more in 2 of his last 5 games, over the past 2 weeks he has a 40-point game to his name and 4 games of 30+ points. Atlanta’s hopes of advancing are in his hands.
Former NBA champion Brian Scalabrine on the play-in and his best bets for Wednesday
LaMelo Ball to record 10+ assists (+124)
As much as I like Young on offense, his defense has been suspect for a few years now and that is Ball’s opportunity to shine here. He has about 6 inches on Young, which should give him a big advantage when looking for teammates to pass to. He’s averaged 9.1 assists per game over the past 10 games, that’s 1.5 assists more than his 7.6 per game season average. Against the Hawks in 3 meetings he dished out 8.7 assists per game and in 3 of his 5 games against them in his career he had 11 assists. The oddsmakers are expecting a high scoring game here, the projected total has been set at 236.5 points and if that is the case Ball will have plenty of opportunities to set up his teammates.
Don’t forget to read our same game parlay for Spurs vs Pelicans (+1057 odds!)
Pickswise is the home of free NBA picks and predictions. Make sure to also check out our NBA parlays and NBA prop bets tabs for more expert picks.
