New-Look Nuggets Look to Take Down Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks (23-22 SU, 23-21-1 ATS) take on the Denver Nuggets (27-18 SU, 21-24 ATS) for the second and final time this season on Sunday night. The Hawks won the first matchup back in February 123-115 in Atlanta.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The game opened with the Nuggets as favorites at -4.5 across the board. The total opened at 228.5 and can now be found between 227 and 228 depending on the sportsbook.

Atlanta News & Notes

The Atlanta Hawks were rumored to be one of the more active teams at the NBA trade deadline as the team sits in sixth in the Eastern Conference, firmly in the thick of the playoff race. But the Hawks made just one relatively minor deal on Thursday, sending point guard Rajon Rondo to the Clippers for Lou Williams and a couple of draft picks.

The trade was more of a salary dump deal that helps the Hawks more in the future than now. Still, the acquisition of Williams adds an experienced shooter to a group that ranks 19th in the league in field goal percentage, 17th in three-point percentage and 14th in points per game. Now in his 18th season, Williams was averaging 12 points per game off the bench for the Clippers.

Williams also adds playoff experience to a team with an extremely young starting five led primarily by Trae Young (22), De’Andre Hunter (23) and John Collins (23).

Denver News & Notes

The Denver Nuggets made maybe the biggest splash on deadline day with their acquisition of forward Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic. The Nuggets, who were in the Western Conference championship last season, were in serious need of some size and an upgrade on the aging Paul Millsap after losing couple of pieces in the offseason. Gordon, and his 14.5 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and career-best 37.5 three-point percentage, offers just that.

The Nuggets also added rim protector JaVale McGee from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. McGee is averaging 8.0 points, 5.2 boards and 1.2 blocks this season and adds even more size to the Nuggets rotation.

With superstar forward Nikola Jokic in the midst of an MVP-caliber season (he is averaging a sublime 27.2 points, 11.1 boards, 8.6 assists and 1.6 steals this season), the Nuggets are now poised to vault up the standings with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both out for the L.A. Lakers.