Why Bettors Should Fade Hawks
If you’re looking for a betting angle for Wednesday night’s NBA slate, there might not be a better one than in tonight’s Hawks and Pistons matchup at 7:00 p.m. ET.
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Pistons are currently 8.5-point favorites to beat the Hawks but the line appears to be dropping. In fact, you can already find the line listed at 8 in some spots.
As of Wednesday morning, 71% of the betting tickets at the majority of online sportsbooks are on Detroit to cover the spread. More times than not, I want to be against the betting public, especially when it comes to bet percentages over 70%. That said, there’s too good of an angle on the Pistons to pass up.
For starters, the Hawks have failed to cover the point spread in 10 of their last 13 games against Eastern Conference competition. They’re also 2-5 at the betting window in their last seven games when they play an opponent that scored 100 points or more in its previous game. But those aren’t the angles that bettors need to focus on tonight.
Here’s why you fade Atlanta: Tonight will mark the Hawks’ fifth game in seven days. It’s also their third game in four days and their second of a back-to-back set. The Hawks were just in Milwaukee Tuesday night and while the flight to Detroit is short, they crossed over time zones. Atlanta did cover the spread as a 7-point dog in its 97-92 loss to the Bucks last night but they lost an hour flying to Detroit and will play the Pistons in less than 24 hours after tip-off in Milwaukee.
Be aware that the Pistons are just 5-5 straight up and 2-8 against the spread over their last 10 games. They haven’t been a great bet of late, including at home, where they are just 12-17 at the betting window this season. Still, shop around, find out where the Pistons are -8 and bet it down to 7.5. Eventually they should roll against a worn down Atlanta squad.