After taking the opener of this Eastern Conference semifinals series Sunday on the road the Hawks shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead when the teams meet again Tuesday night in Philly. Atlanta basically dominated the 76ers in Game 1, even as Sixers C Joel Embiid performed brilliantly through a sore knee. Philadelphia began this series as a -180 favorite to win it, with Atlanta getting +160 as the underdog. Now the 76ers are lined at -140 to win this series, with the Hawks getting +120. How are playing Game 2 with our free NBA playoffs betting pick?
NBA Playoffs Betting Odds
The NBA playoffs betting market opened Philadelphia at -4.5 for this Game 2, with an O/U of right around 222.5. Early betting action then bumped the Sixers to -6 and that total to 223.5.
Any bettors out there, like us, who think Atlanta might win this game outright could get +224 on the Game 2 money line at Pinnacle online sportsbook.
Hawks-76ers NBA Playoffs Betting Preview
Atlanta grabbed Game 1 of this Eastern Conference semifinals series Sunday in Philadelphia 128-124. But that game wasn’t as close as that final score might indicate. The Hawks, as 4.5-point underdogs, led 42-27 after one quarter, then scored the first 11 points of the second quarter and led 74-54 at the half. Atlanta pushed its advantage to 25 points late in the third quarter, let the 76ers get within two points with 10 seconds left but held on for the win and the cash as +130 dogs on the Game 1 money line.
The Hawks shot 51 percent from the floor Sunday while Philly shot 55 percent. Atlanta just made its shots building a big lead while the Sixers made theirs coming from behind.
Also, Game 1 cruised over its total of 219.5.
With Sunday’s win the Hawks are now 5-1 both SU and ATS this playoff season. Atlanta is also now 32-12 SU, 26-17 ATS since putting Coach McMillan in charge back in April.
With Sunday’s loss Philadelphia is now 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS this postseason. But stretching back about six weeks the Sixers are still 14-4 SU, 11-7 ATS over their last 17 games.
Embiid tweaked a knee in Game 4 of Philly’s first-round series against Washington, sat out the clinching Game 5 and was listed as questionable for Game 1 of this series. But he played 38 minutes Sunday and tossed in 39 points! Still, it wasn’t enough, and he’s obviously experiencing pain.
During the regular season Philly played 39-12 SU, 28-21 ATS with Embiid, 10-11 SU, 10-10 ATS without him.
Philadelphia played eight games better than Atlanta in the regular-season standings, 49-23 to 41-31, and took the season series from the Hawks two games to one. So these two teams have now split four meetings this season both SU and ATS.
- Get more details: ATL/PHI 6/8/21 Matchup Stats
Hawks-Sixers NBA Betting Trends
- The Hawks played 16-20 SU, 16-19 ATS on the road this season.
- The Sixers played 29-7 SU, 22-13 ATS at home this season.
- The Hawks played 16-21 SU, 17-19 ATS vs. teams that made the playoffs this season.
- The Sixers played 21-16 SU, 16-19 ATS vs. teams that made the playoffs this season.
- The Hawks played 15-9 ATS this season as dogs of between 1-6 points.
- The Sixers played 13-10 ATS this season as favorites of six points or less.
Totals Report
Unders played 37-35 in Hawks games this season, which averaged 225 total points.
Unders played 38-34 in Sixers games this season, which averaged 222 points.
Unders played 2-1 in Hawks-Sixers games this season, which averaged 215 total points against an average O/U of 220. But Game 1 of this playoff series played way over a total of 219.5.
