Atlanta, GA
Prediction and betting odds for Jan. 28, Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks
In a makeup of a postponement from earlier this month, Jalen Green and the Rockets (-6.5) are in Atlanta to face an injury ravaged Hawks team. For both teams, it’s night two of a split back-to-back.
Seventeen days later than originally planned, the Houston Rockets will make their lone visit of the 2024-25 NBA season to Atlanta on Tuesday night.
The original Jan. 11 date was postponed due to winter weather in the Atlanta area. Since the Rockets and Hawks are in different conferences, they play only twice per season (once in each city).
Because this game was a late addition to the schedule, both teams will be navigating back-to-back considerations — and with travel in-between. Atlanta played at Minnesota on Monday night, while Houston was at Boston.
Due in large part to widespread injuries throughout their roster, the Hawks (22-24) have lost five straight games while falling to No. 9 in the Eastern Conference standings. The Rockets (31-14) remain No. 2 in the West after Monday’s thrilling road victory over the Celtics.
Projected Lineups, Broadcast Info
Rockets at Hawks Betting Odds:
All NBA Odds via BetMGM:
- Point spread: Rockets -6.5
- Money line: Rockets -225 / Hawks +185
- Over-under: 226.5
Rockets at Hawks Injury Updates:
- Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr., out, left metacarpal fracture
- Rockets: Tari Eason, out, left lower leg injury management
- Rockets: Cam Whitmore, questionable, illness
- Hawks: Jalen Johnson, out, left shoulder injury
- Hawks: Trae Young, questionable, right hamstring tightness
- Hawks: Kobe Bufkin, out, right shoulder surgery
- Hawks: Cody Zeller, out, not with team
After his recent return from a lengthy injury, Eason’s absence is due to the team being cautious on back-to-backs for the time being.
Prediction and Picks for Rockets at Hawks:
It’s night two of a road back-to-back for both teams, but the Hawks have significantly more injury concerns and less roster depth in general. That could lead to a good night for the road favorites.
With both teams likely fatigued and not defending with their usual energy , that could make the over a tempting bet. Athletic players who attack the rim — such as Jalen Green, who fared extremely well in Houston’s lone visit to Atlanta last season — could benefit.
Green, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet are Houston’s three leading scorers, but they combined for only 30 points a night earlier in Boston. (Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks did the heavy lifting.) That might give Houston’s top scorers a bit more juice on night two of a road back-to-back than they would otherwise have.
Best Bet: Rockets -6.5 (-102)
Favorite Prop: Jalen Green, over 22.5 points (-120)
Prediction: 118-110, Rockets