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Pelicans host streaking Hawks Monday
By: Freddy Wander - StatFox
Published: 2/2/2015  at  10:32:00 AM
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ATLANTA HAWKS (40-8)

at NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (25-22)

Tip-off: Monday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Atlanta -3.5, Total: 194

The Atlanta Hawks attempt to push their winning streak to an amazing 20 games when they head to New Orleans and take on the Pelicans this Monday night.

Atlanta has been the clear-cut best team in the Eastern Conference, and possibly the league, this year and has defeated their opponents by an average of 11.4 PPG during the 19-game streak. Bettors have also done well if taking the Hawks, as they are an impressive 15-3-1 ATS in the 19 contests and have been the favorite in all but two of the victories. They had a close call against the lowly 76ers on Saturday as they went into the game giving 16.5 points and won by a score of 91-85. Philadelphia shot a meager 38.3% from the field in the loss and really helped out Atlanta who shot its second-worst percentage (43.6% FG) as a team since the beginning of this great streak. The Pelicans have started playing some better basketball of late and are 5-1 both SU and ATS since the 21st as they have single-digit turnovers in three of their last four contests. They haven’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard, averaging 100.8 PPG in the victories, but have held the opposition under 42% shooting in three of them and have grabbed 50.3 RPG in their last three wins. Despite not having their MVP, PF Anthony Davis, on Friday night, they were able to take down the Clippers by a score of 108-103 as eight-point underdogs at home as they outrebounded them by 13 (51-38) and made 13-of-25 three-pointers (52% 3PM). The Hawks have not had any issues when playing on the road and are 17-5 SU (17-4-1 ATS) when away from home as they go up against a Pelicans club which is a very solid 16-6 SU (14-7-1 ATS) in front of their fans. It was Atlanta’s amazing defensive first half, when it allowed just 28 points, which helped them earn a 100-91 win as 2.5-point favorites at home against New Orleans earlier this year. Overall, the Pelicans made a meager 40.4% of its shots as they let the Hawks make half of their attempts (38-for-76) and have six players in double-digits. Previous to that, New Orleans had won the previous three meetings between the teams SU and ATS, scoring 109 PPG as they took the contests by an average of 7.3 PPG. Bettors should know that Atlanta is 27-11 ATS (71%) after playing three consecutive games as a favorite in the past three seasons while the Pelicans are 7-1 ATS (88%) after a game forcing their opponent to commit eight or less turnovers this year. It will be tough for the Hawks to keep up all this winning if injuries continue to pile up and they have SF DeMare Carroll (Achilles) listed as questionable for this one while SG Thabo Sefolosha (Calf) and PG Shelvin Mack (Calf) are out. On the other side of the ball, PF Anthony Davis (Groin) is probable as the team continues to play without PG Jrue Holiday (Ankle).

Will the Pelicans be the team to end the Hawks’ incredible streak? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 56% ATS record (125-98-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 61% ATS (70-44) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Scott who is a stellar 67% ATS (20-10) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (39-31) for the season. StatFox Gary is also red-hot with a 61% ATS (14-9) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and 56% ATS (39-31) this season. StatFox Brian is 63% ATS (15-9) in Best Bets since Dec. 31, and is now 56% ATS (39-31) in season Best Bets. StatFox Zach is 61% ATS (14-9) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2, while StatFox Dave is 64% ATS (7-4) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 18.

The Hawks have been a much improved offensive unit this year as they are going for 103.4 PPG (6th in the league) behind some very efficient shooting (47.2% FG, 4th in league). They continue to be one of the best on the defensive end as well and are allowing 96.1 PPG (3rd in league) with opponents making a mere 43.5% of their shots (3rd in league). PG Jeff Teague (16.8 PPG, 7.5 APG, 1.7 SPG) has been in a little bit of an offensive slump lately, scoring just 12.8 PPG over the past four games as he’s shot worse than 38% from the floor in his last three performances. He had a great game in the first matchup with the Pelicans, going 10-for-16 from the field with 26 points, seven assists and a steal. PF Paul Millsap (17.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.8 SPG) has put up 21.2 PPG over his last five outings and has made 10 of his 20 threes (50% 3PM) in that time. He had a full stat-line (13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks) against New Orleans back in November. C Al Horford (15.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.4 BPG) has three double-doubles in his last five games as he has blocked 2.0 shots per game and shot 65% in that period. He also had a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and added four assists with three blocks in the win over the Pelicans a few months ago. It would be unfair to not mention SG Kyle Korver (13.1 PPG), who ranks first among shooting guards in FG% (52%), 3PM% (54%) and FT% (92%) this season.

New Orleans ranks near the middle of the league as it scores 100.2 PPG and makes 45.5% of its shots (12th in league). Defensively, they also tread towards the middle of the pack, giving up 99.1 PPG behind 45.8% shooting (7th-worst in league). PF Anthony Davis (24.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.9 BPG, 1.6 SPG) has recorded a double-double in 27-of-42 games, including each of his last four in which he’s averaged 26.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG and 2.0 BPG. Despite also getting a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) in the loss to Atlanta earlier this season, he struggled with just 5-of-14 shooting in 31 minutes. SG Tyreke Evans (17.1 PPG, 5.7 APG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG) has been manning the point with Holiday out and has 12 assists in three of the last four games. His solid all-around performance (18 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block) was not enough to take down this talented Hawks group in their last meeting. SG Eric Gordon (12.6 PPG) is coming off a big game (28 points, 7 assists) against the Clippers and will be a nice addition after missing the game with Atlanta back in November.


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