NBA Picks – Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards

The Atlanta Hawks (33-26 SU, 31-28 ATS, 27-30-2 O/U) suffered a heartbreaking 88-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, the team’s fourth loss in its last five games.

Despite the loss, Atlanta managed to cover the spread in the BetOnline Sportsbook as 4-point home underdogs while the combined score fell UNDER the posted O/U total of 190 points.

Shooting guard Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 21 points while underachieving forward Marvin Williams added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Washington Wizards (14-45 SU, 22-36-1 ATS, 28-29-2 O/U) lost for the third time in four games, losing to the playoff hopeful Milwaukee Bucks 88-87 while failing to cover the spread as a 6.5-point road underdog on Sunday.

Veteran forward Antawn Jamison scored a team-high 21 points but the Wizards allowed Milwaukee to make a blistering 52.6 percent of its collective shots while getting outscored 11-2 at the free throw line.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick:

• Atlanta is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
• Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Washington
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games
• The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington’s last 14 games
• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington’s last 9 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
• Washington is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Atlanta

NBA Odds:

• Atlanta Hawks -4½ -110
• Washington Wizards +4½ -110
• Over 198½ -110
• Under 198½ -110

Analysis: I wouldn’t put a lot of guesswork into making this selection, as the Hawks will win despite being on the road while covering the spread against the Wizards for the third straight time.

I also like the Over in this contest as these two teams have combined to go over tonight’s O/U point total in four of the last five meetings.

NBA Free Picks: Hawks -4½ Points/Over 198½ Total Points