Southeast Division foes will battle when the Atlanta Hawks (19-46) clash against the Charlotte Hornets (22-41) at State Farm Arena. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225 points with Atlanta opening as a 4-point favorite. Action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9, 2020, and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Southeast.

Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks Free Preview

The Hornets beat the Houston Rockets in their last outing, 108-99, despite being 8-point underdogs. Terry Rozier led Charlotte in scoring with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting. Charlotte played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.271 (above their season average of 0.186) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.636 (above their season average of 0.501). For those same stats, Houston had marks of 0.184 and 0.559, respectively. The two teams combined to score 207 points, which came in under the O/U total of 218.5.

The last time the Hawks were in action, they were topped by the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-101, and were not able to cover as 6-point underdogs. John Collins was Atlanta’s high scorer with 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting. Memphis held the Hawks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.405 (below their season average of 0.514). Atlanta, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (11.5 vs. 13.6). The two squads combined to account for 219 points, which finished well under the projected point total of 235.

It will be a showdown of opposite tempos as the fast-breaking Hawks will look to push the slower-paced Hornets. The Hawks currently rank fourth in possessions per game while the Hornets are 30th.

Of Charlotte’s 63 games, 34 have finished under the O/U total, while 37 of Atlanta’s 65 games have finished over the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Hornets have a clear advantage. They are 22-41 SU and 32-29-2 ATS, while the Hawks are 19-46 SU and 29-35-1 ATS.

Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Hornets, it’s been PJ Washington, who has averaged 16 points,6.0 rebounds, while the Hawks have received solid contributions from Kevin Huerter (15 points,5.8 assists,1.2 steals).

These two teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 229 points in that game, which was over the projected point total of 222.5. The Hawks won 122-107, covering as 2-point underdogs. Atlanta was lights out from beyond the arc (18-45; 40.0 percent). Charlotte, on the other hand, did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (24-29; 82.8 percent). Trae Young scored a game-high 30 points.

Hornets vs. Hawks Odds Prediction

Free Pick: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Under

Notes

Betting Notes:

The Hawks rank 12th in blocks per game (5.1) while the Hornets rank 26th (4.1).

Charlotte ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.0) while Atlanta ranks 29th (19.4).

Atlanta averages 35.9 three pointers per game, which ranks eighth in the league. Charlotte ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (34.8).

Charlotte ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.0) while Atlanta ranks 28th (47.2).

Atlanta is 19-12-1 ATS at home, while Charlotte is 18-15 ATS on the road.

The Hornets have 17 unders and 16 overs in 33 road games.

The Hawks have 18 overs and 14 unders in 32 home games.

Charlotte is 8-1 when they allow under 100 points, while Atlanta is 4-0.

The Hornets are 17-23 when they score more than 100 points, while the Hawks are 19-38.

The Hawks rank 13th in steals per game (7.9) while the Hornets rank 25th (6.5).

Charlotte ranks fourth in fast break points allowed per game (11.8) while Atlanta ranks 24th (14.6).

The Hawks average 50.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Hornets rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.5).

The Hawks average 23.8 assists per game, which ranks 19th in the league. The Hornets rank last in assists allowed per game (26.5).

Charlotte averages 13.3 second chance points per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Atlanta ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (15.2).

Bettings Trends:

Atlanta is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in its last five games.

Over its past five games, Charlotte is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.

The Hawks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.4, down from 8.2 for the season.

During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 101.4 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.2 points per game (8.1 below their season average).