Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 11/22/2021

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to watch: Bally Sports Southeast-Atlanta, Bally Sports Oklahoma 

DraftKings: Hawks -10.5

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: Hawks -11

Thunder: 6-10

Hawks: 8-9

Thunder: lost four of five; lost 111-105 at Celtics on Saturday

Hawks: won four straight; won 115-105 vs. Hornets on Saturday

The Atlanta Hawks will try for their fifth straight win when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

After a 4-9 start for the reigning Eastern Conference finalists, the Hawks have found some footing and appear to be gaining traction in the positive direction.

Atlanta is coming off a 115-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets that was, for the most part, a one-sided affair in favor of the Hawks. Six players scored in double figures led by a near-perfect shooting performance by big man Clint Capela (10 of 11 shooting) for 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Trae Young added 19 points and nine assists on 5 of 15 shooting.

"I think the improvement that we've made is just to play faster," Young said. "The more possessions you have, the more shots you get up, with the guys we have, it's good."

It’s not an ideal situation but the Hawks have found ways to win without young defensive stalwart De’Andre Hunter, who will be out approximately two months.

But the core of the group is still playing well. Young has averaged 26 points and nine assists over the past 10 games while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 41 percent from 3. So long as he’s healthy and putting forth scoring efforts like that, the Hawks will remain competitive; it was just a week ago that the superstar guard had 42 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds against the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Atlanta has also gotten great production from its frontcourt of Capela and John Collins. The latter has averaged 17 points and eight rebounds per game, while Capela has a double-double of almost 12 points and 12 rebounds.

"You have the crowd cheering for you. It helps. I think it probably makes a difference," Collins said after four straight home games. "You can hear the crowd cheering for you every time you make a big play or a big shot."

While the Hawks have played great basketball during this stretch, the Thunder have taken a step back since their 5-6 start. After their 6-point loss to the Boston Celtics inside TD Garden on Saturday, the Thunder have lost four of five and are four games below .500.

Lu Dort led all scorers with 16 points, while Josh Giddey had another all-around good game of 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Oklahoma City’s problem is certainly not for a lack of effort. The Thunder shot 40 percent from the floor and made 18 of 42 attempts from behind the arc. It’s the consistent offense. Beyond Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, there’s no constant No. 2 option.

"I feel like this shows if we start well and our on terms, it can lead to a full 48 minutes," Thunder forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl said after posting 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. "I thought tonight we just got off to a slow start."

The Thunder will play this game to the very end, but the talent discrepancy will eventually balance out in the end. Oklahoma City is actually 15-6 against the spread in the last 21 meetings in Atlanta, but ultimately, the frontcourt battle will win out with Atlanta ahead. The Thunder have won three of the last five, but this version of the Thunder is 10 times different than what we’ve seen as of late. Atlanta gets the win, but Oklahoma City covers. Hawks by 9

The Thunder have gone 5-0 ATS in their last five as a road dog.

The Thunder are 7-0 ATS in their last seven against teams with a losing record.

The over is 7-1 in the last eight meetings.

The Hawks are 25-4 ATS in their last 29 as a home favorite.

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Darius Bazley
C: Derrick Favors

PG: Trae Young

SG: Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF: Kevin Huerter
PF: John Collins
C: Clint Capela

Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle, questionable)

Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic (quad, questionable), De’Andre Hunter (wrist, out), Onyeka Okongwu (out)

Points: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -- 20.4

Rebounds: Josh Giddey -- 7.3

Assists: Josh Giddey -- 5.6

Points: Trae Young -- 24.7

Rebounds: Clint Capela -- 11.8

Assists: Trae Young -- 9.2