Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/5/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

Where to watch: TSN, Bally Sports Southeast-Atlanta

DraftKings: Raptors -4

BetMGM: Raptors -4.5

Caesars: Raptors -4

Hawks: 41-37

Raptors: 45-33

In a crazy world where the Atlanta Hawks have suddenly found the resurgence to put themselves back in the playoff picture within the Eastern Conference, the ultimate long-of-the-short of it is they’re going to be confined to the play-in tournament unless they win out and the Toronto Raptors or Chicago Bulls lose out.

One way to kickstart that process would be Atlanta going into Toronto on Tuesday and getting a victory and pushing its winning streak to six games. And who are we to judge if the Hawks can’t go north of the border and get the job done?

The Hawks have suddenly gone from major disappointment to a team that could scare one of the top seeds in the East depending on if they get through the play-in round. Atlanta currently sits at the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, which would give them an 8-9 matchup with the Charlotte Hornets if the playoffs began today.

But with four games remaining in the regular season, there’s suddenly reason for the Hawks to keep playing. The Cleveland Cavaliers have fallen from grace harder than the Browns and have fallen down toward the play-in. Cleveland has only a 1.5-game lead on the Hawks for the seventh seed, which a win for the 7 seed can automatically clinch a 2-7 matchup with whomever gets in. So there’s more pressure on who can get that 7 seed.

The Hawks are coming off a thrilling 122-115 win in which they overcame a 55-point masterpiece from Kevin Durant and no other help from anyone on Brooklyn. Trae Young finished with 36 points and 10 assists, making the big buckets when they mattered most.

"We're playing some good basketball right now," Young said.

Indeed you are, Trae. Indeed you are.

The Hawks have won 10 of 13 and suddenly are surging toward a chance to build off that Eastern Conference Finals appearance from last season. Is that likely going to happen? It’s hard to say. This group is more talented than last year’s, but injuries to John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic have made that venture fairly difficult with just a handful of games to go.

But now comes the part where every game matters, and the same can be said for the other side. And as far as the Raptors go, they’re in the position of trying to avoid the play-in. As the No. 6 seed, Toronto would play the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round if the playoffs started today. And not that’s a knock on Toronto, but I don’t think anyone wants to play the defending NBA champions right now.

Toronto is coming off a 114-109 loss to the Miami Heat at home on Sunday in Kyle Lowry’s return to Toronto. The former Raptors legend finished with 16 points and 10 assists, and was part of Miami’s depth to carry the Heat to a win. That’s where the Raptors messed up: They didn’t have enough depth beyond Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam scoring 29 points each. Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent Jr. had 19 each, but the bench combined for 13 points with Chris Boucher going 3 of 10 from the floor.

"That's what respect looks like," VanVleet said of facing his former NBA champion teammate. "Obviously I want to give him my best and he deserves that. He brings out a different competitive edge in myself."

The emotional moment is what likely led to the Raptors faltering down the stretch, but they need their bench to play much better if they want to make a run. Clearly, the Raptors have the talent to make things interesting in the East. It starts with those not in the starting lineup.

While I understand the Raptors needing to bounce back and make it an entertaining game after letting one get away Sunday, the Hawks are red-hot right now and I don’t envy anyone catching them on the court right now. They’re playing well, beating good teams and are doing it without their second best player. I like Atlanta in a close one. Hawks by 3

The Hawks are 6-16 ATS as a road underdog this season.

The Hawks are 45-72 ATS on the road over the past three seasons.

The Hawks are 2-8 ATS off an upset win this season.

The Raptors are 26-12 ATS this season off an over.

The Raptors are 43-37 ATS the last three seasons as a home favorite.

The over is 22-16 when the Raptors play at home this season.

PG: Trae Young

SG: Kevin Huerter

SF: De'Andre Hunter

PF: Danilo Gallinari

C: Clint Capela

PG: Fred VanVleet

SG: Gary Trent

SF: OG Anunoby

PF: Scottie Barnes

C: Pascal Siakam

Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee, questionable), John Collins (finger and foot, questionable

Raptors: OG Anunoby (thigh, questionable)

Points: Trae Young -- 28.3

Rebounds: Clint Capela -- 11.8

Assists: Trae Young -- 9.6

Points: Pascal Siakam -- 22.4

Rebounds: Pascal Siakam -- 8.4

Assists: Fred VanVleet -- 6.6