Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets December 8th 2024

At 6:00 ET, the Denver Nuggets (11-10) will travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks (13-11) in a non-conference matchup. The Hawks are currently favored by 3.5 points and have won six straight games. The over/under line for the game is 240.5 points.

This game will be played at State Farm Arena and can be seen on ALT.

Nuggets vs. Hawks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks
• Where: Atlanta at State Farm Arena
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds ATL -3.5, DEN +141 | ATL -166 O/U 240.5

The Nuggets Can Win If…

The Nuggets fell to 11-10 on the season after a 122-113 road loss to the Wizards on Saturday. Denver, who were -12 point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 235, just over the 234.5 O/U line.

Denver struggled early, trailing 36-29 after the 1st quarter and 33-28 in the 2nd. They outscored the Wizards 36-30 in the 3rd, but couldn’t complete the comeback, losing the 4th quarter 23-20.

In their 122-113 loss to the Wizards, the Nuggets struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5 threes at a 20.8% clip. Overall, they shot 48.9% from the field.

Nikola Jokic was a standout, finishing with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists, hitting 3 threes at 60%. Jokic had 23 points in the 3rd quarter alone. Julian Strawther added 18 points, and Christian Braun contributed 14.

The Nuggets gave up 122 points to the Wizards on Saturday, allowing 36 points in the 1st quarter and 33 in the 2nd. Denver’s defense tightened up in the 4th, holding Washington to 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to turn the game around.

Washington shot 48% from the field, including 39% from deep, where they hit 16 threes. The Wizards also went 16/22 from the free-throw line. Denver allowed 15 offensive rebounds but recorded 11 steals and 6 blocks.

• Although Denver has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 4-6. The team averaged 116 points per game in these games.
• Denver has done well both straight up and vs the spread as the underdog, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
• Over their last three games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Hawks Can Win If…

The Hawks improved to 13-11 this season with a 134-132 win over the Lakers on Friday. Atlanta was favored by four points but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 266.5 exceeded the over/under line of 234.5 by 31.5 points.

Atlanta rallied after the Lakers went on a 13-0 run, stretching the score from 67-66 to 79-67. The Hawks responded by winning the 4th quarter 25-22, completing the comeback at home.

Trae Young’s 31 points and 20 assists powered the Hawks to a 134-132 win over the Lakers, despite shooting just 36% from the field. De’Andre Hunter added 26 points, hitting 5 threes at a 71.4% clip, while Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 20 points, knocking down 4 threes.

As a team, Atlanta connected on 17 threes, shooting 42.5% from deep and 50% overall. Young hit 5 threes, shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc, and scored 15 points in the 3rd quarter, adding another 7 in the 4th.

Despite a rough defensive performance, the Hawks managed to pull out a win against the Lakers, giving up 132 points on 51% shooting. Atlanta allowed 29 points in the 1st quarter, 35 in the 2nd, and 33 in the 3rd, but tightened up in the 4th, holding the Lakers to 22 points.

The Hawks sent the Lakers to the line 16 times, where they hit 14 free throws. Atlanta also allowed 16 threes on 45% shooting. The Hawks finished with 37 defensive rebounds, allowing 6 offensive boards, and added 10 steals and 5 blocks.

• In their last five games at home, the Hawks have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 116 points per game in these contests.
• In their last five contests as the favorite, Atlanta has a poor record vs the spread going 1-4. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 3-2.
• In their last three games, the Hawks have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Hawks to secure the win, with an expected final score of 138-121. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -3.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 240.5 and our model has the Nuggets and Hawks finishing with a combined 259 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Hawks Seek to Extend Eastern Conference’s Longest Winning Streak

The Atlanta Hawks (14-8) have been on a tear, winning six straight games to claim the longest active winning streak by any Eastern Conference team. Their latest victory, a 134-132 overtime thriller against the Los Angeles Lakers, featured a historic performance from Trae Young.

Young became the first player in franchise history to record at least 30 points and 20 assists in a game, including the game-winning shot. His confidence and leadership have been instrumental in Atlanta’s success.

“My confidence comes from the work that I’ve put in over the years,” Young said.

Key Players for Atlanta

• Trae Young: Averaging 21.2 points and a league-leading 12.3 assists per game, Young is the engine of Atlanta’s offense.
• Jalen Johnson: Emerging as a key contributor, Johnson is averaging 19.8 points and 9.9 rebounds during the winning streak.
• De’Andre Hunter: Consistently scoring, Hunter adds 19.2 points per game, providing balance to Atlanta’s offense.

Atlanta has been clicking offensively, averaging 122.7 points during their streak, nearly five points above their season average of 117.3.

“These guys are their own team,” coach Quin Snyder said. “For them to continue to build an identity that they can feel and replicate I think is the main thing.”

Nuggets: Looking to Stop the Slide

The Denver Nuggets (14-9) are facing challenges after back-to-back losses, including a surprising 122-113 defeat to the Washington Wizards, a team that had lost 16 straight games. Despite Nikola Jokic’s career-high 56 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists, Denver struggled defensively and couldn’t overcome a 15-point deficit in the third quarter.

“We have a lot of issues, mainly on the defensive end of the floor,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Key Players for Denver

• Nikola Jokic: The reigning MVP is averaging an astonishing 31.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 10.3 assists this season, making him a nightly triple-double threat.
• Michael Porter Jr.: His scoring ability will be critical as the Nuggets try to match Atlanta’s offensive firepower.
• Aaron Gordon: A versatile forward who can contribute on both ends, Gordon’s defense will be key against Atlanta’s high-scoring wings.

Denver has struggled defensively during their recent skid, allowing teams to exploit gaps in their schemes.

“No one feels sorry for you, and we have to all realize that we all have to start participating in our own recovery,” Malone said.

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Trae Young vs. Nikola Jokic: Both stars are capable of dictating the pace of the game with their playmaking and scoring.
• Jalen Johnson vs. Aaron Gordon: A battle of athletic forwards who can impact the game on both ends of the court.
• Nuggets Defense vs. Hawks Offense: Denver’s ability to contain Atlanta’s balanced attack will be crucial in staying competitive.

What’s at Stake?

For Atlanta, extending their winning streak to seven games would further cement their status as one of the hottest teams in the league. Their improved chemistry and offensive output have made them a formidable force in the Eastern Conference.

For Denver, a victory would stop their slide and serve as a reminder of why they were early-season favorites. Improving defensively will be key to regaining their footing in the highly competitive Western Conference.

With two teams boasting star-studded lineups and contrasting trajectories, this matchup promises to be an electrifying showdown. Will the Hawks stay hot, or can Jokic and the Nuggets bounce back? Fans are in for a high-stakes battle in Atlanta.