Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks Preview (11/10/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
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Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks host the James Harden-less Philadelphia 76ers in what will be an epic Eastern Conference showdown. Atlanta has started off the season with a strong 7-3 record, winning its past three games, including against the Milwaukee Bucks. Take a look below at an in-depth analysis of this matchup, my prediction, the projected starting lineups, current odds, and an updated injury report!
Philadelphia 76ers Vs. Atlanta Hawks Betting Odds
The Philadelphia 76ers are likely going to be road dogs against the Hawks in Atlanta. Atlanta has looked really solid over its past three games, beating the New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks! The Hawks will not be returning Bogdan Bogdanovic in this matchup and also have Trae Young listed as questionable, while Philly will miss James Harden for a few more weeks.
Philadelphia 76ers Vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction
Philadelphia has had a volatile start to the 2022-23 season; its beginning can best be encapsulated by the last two games, which include a loss to the New York Knicks and a win against the Phoenix Suns. The Sixers will hope to get back to .500 basketball with a win against Atlanta in this one.
The Sixers will be without James Harden once again after Harden suffered a foot injury a few games ago; his timetable for return is somewhat uncertain as he’s in a boot and not performing any activities that are weight-bearing. Luckily, Philly should have Joel Embiid, one of the league’s best centers and a consistent threat to score 30 or more points and bring down double-digit rebounds.
It has been an up-and-down start to the 2022-23 season for Trae Young, but the bottom line is that he can get hot on any given night, as evidenced in his 42-point explosion against the Milwaukee Bucks a week and a half ago. Still, Young has merely shot 38% from the field on the season and just 31% in his past three games.
He’s listed as questionable on the injury report at the time this article was written, so even if he can play, he may not be 100% healthy. Between being banged up, his slow start, and Philly’s incredible perimeter defense against points guards, I see Young struggling mightily in this one. I’m going to stick with the Sixers against the spread.
Betting Trends
- Philadelphia is 3-2 ATS on the road in 2022-23
- Atlanta is 3-2 ATS at home in 2022-23
- The combined over record of these two teams is 11-10 in 2022-23
Key Matchups
The most statistically obvious “key matchup” in this game takes place between Philly’s perimeter defense and All-Star Trae Young, who has been on a shooting roller coaster to start the 2022-23 regular season. Below, I detail further analysis of why this is a key matchup in this bout and who has the advantage between the Sixers’ perimeter defense and Trae Young.
Philadelphia’s Perimeter Defense vs. Trae Young
How good have the Sixers been against opposing point guards this season? The answer: incredible. Philly has allowed the least amount of points (16.58) to opposing point guards in the entire NBA, a stat that is wildly impressive. Between De’Anthony Melton, Tyrese Maxey, and Matisse Thybulle, opposing guards have really had trouble getting clean looks on the perimeter and consistently driving by these guys.
Young hasn’t faced off against Philly in nearly a year, but the last time he did, he posted 25 points; however, in the game before that, he finished with merely 12 points. Considering the volatility of Young’s shooting to start this season, I’m not loving this matchup for him. Here’s a sentence I didn’t think I’d say this season: I’ll be taking Philadelphia’s perimeter defense over Trae Young in this one. Advantage: Philly.
Philadelphia 76ers Starting Lineup
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: De’Anthony Melton
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: P.J. Tucker
C: Joel Embiid
Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineups
PG: Trae Young
SG: Dejounte Murray
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: John Collins
C: Clint Capela
Key Injuries
Philadelphia 76ers Injuries: James Harden (Out), Danuel House Jr (Q)
Atlanta Hawks Injuries: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Out), Trae Young (Q)
