Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors: Odds and best bets

Both of these teams played last night. Atlanta got point guard Trae Young back, he scored 43 points and the Hawks beat a Phoenix team that had only lost once since the calendar turned to 2022. Toronto hosted Chicago and beat the Bulls in overtime for its fourth win in a row.

In case you didn't know, those are wins against the top team in the Eastern and Western Conferences. 

These teams also met on Monday with Toronto beating the Hawks in Atlanta to end the Hawks' seven-game winning streak. Young did not play in that game, and the Hawks are a completely different team without him. As they hope to even the score tonight, it looks like they will be without starting forward John Collins and reserve guard Lou Williams, two important sources of offense. 

With both of these teams playing last night, keep an eye on the news reports. There is a chance they decide to rest some players who might be difference-makers, especially Atlanta, which might be extra careful with Young coming off an injury.

Game Info

Atlanta Hawks (25-26) vs. Toronto Raptors (27-23)
Friday, Feb. 4, 2022
7:30 p.m. ET
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
NBA TV

Betting Odds

Spread: Hawks +2 (-110), Raptors -2 (-110)
Total: 216.5
Moneyline: Hawks +120, Raptors -140

Best Bet

Toronto -2

Toronto is one of the best teams in the NBA playing on back-to-back nights, 6-3 straight up and 7-2 against the spread. Those numbers are interesting because the Raptors lean on their starters more than any team in the league. Maybe that is the reason. They just play their guys instead of "saving" them for tomorrow. 

The Raptors do not have to travel for this one, so even though there are not going to be fans in the arena due to COVID, they get a small advantage for being at home. 

Conversely, Atlanta is just 3-6 SUATS when playing with no rest. You would think that a relatively youthful team would do better in these situations, but Young is a guy who you would think needs to be at top speed to be really effective. When the Hawks play with no rest the game slows down significantly. Their average game has eight fewer points when they are on tired legs.

When these teams met in Atlanta, Toronto won 106-100 as a small underdog. Just four days later I don't see the addition of Young to the lineup, given all of the other circumstances, as being enough for Atlanta to flip the result in a game where the winner likely covers. 

Prop to Consider

OG Anunoby Over 2.5 Three-Pointers Made (+112)

It might not be his reputation, but Anunoby is a good outside shooter. He made 3-of-5 from deep when these teams played on Monday, and I am looking for something similar this evening.

Anunoby has been sharp lately too, nailing five shots from behind the arc last night, the fourth time in the last six games that he would have cashed on this prop. The volume is almost always there for him. Only once in 2022 has he taken less the four attempts from deep.

Strategically, I really like the play too with Collins hampered or out. The guys who are going to get some extra run in his absence, Onyeka Okongwu and Danilo Gallinari, are not as effective guarding guys on the perimeter so his looks could be even a little better than when these teams met in Atlanta. Just be sure you get that positive pricing though.