Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 12/5/2022

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to watch: BSSE-ATL, BSOK

DraftKings: Hawks -6

FanDuel: Hawks -6

BetMGM: Hawks -5.5

Caesars: Hawks -6

Thunder: 10-13

Hawks: 13-10

Thunder: won 135-128 at Timberwolves on Saturday

Hawks: won 117-100 vs. Nuggets on Friday

I imagine every day what this team would look like with Chet Holmgren. I’d probably file it under “fun” and “must-watch TV every night.” Because that’s where we are right now with the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are so many components that make this team fun, that Holmgren’s ability would make it even better. Maybe next year, but the future appears to be now for OKC.

And the leader of the future, in a big way, is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. We knew the talent was there for a long time, but this is finally the year he is being recognized for his amazing play. SGA is one of seven players this year to average 30 points a game and is doing it for an OKC team that is playing above expectations much sooner than expected.

Shai did it again on Saturday in the 135-128 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He finished with 33 points, six assists and three steals while making all 12 free throw attempts. Josh Giddey is continuing his great second season with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Lu Dort also did his thing with 18 points. All in all, six players scored in double figures for the Thunder in the win.

Again, imagine this team with Holmgren.

They’re a young team that is still finding its way. It may take another year or two, but we’re seeing the foundation and it starts with SGA and the likes of Giddey and Dort. Watch out for this team in the future.

Not the easiest start out of the gates for the Atlanta Hawks, but injuries haven’t helped the cause. When they acquired Dejounte Murray, the ideal situation was to have him, Trae Young and John Collins. But with the latter out for a little bit, the star-studded backcourt has to pick up the slack.

That proved fine in the win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday. Murray was the only one of the three to play and he delivered with 34 points and eight assists in Atlanta’s win. Young did not play because he got into an altercation with coach Nate McMillan, because of course he did for whatever reason.

Whatever dysfunction is going on with the coach and their MVP, the Hawks are still in a weird Eastern Conference where things aren’t as clear-cut as the top two spots are. Atlanta is playing like an average team the last six games, going 3-3 and averaging 113 points on 48% shooting. But they’ve been giving up 110.2 in that stretch, which shows that not having Collins has shown to be important.

Collins isn’t the best defender, but you lose that extra rebounding and occasional shot-blocking in addition to the 18-20 points per game. Trying to counter that with an Oklahoma City team that can do it all at different positions will be something.

If Young isn’t back for this game, it won’t be fair for Murray to counter SGA by himself. OKC’s guards will be better equipped to counter what may happen with Atlanta. Thunder by 10

Thunder are 30-17 ATS as an underdog between 3.5 and 9.5 the last 2 seasons.

Thunder are 63-40 ATS the last 2 seasons.

Hawks are 3-12 ATS off an upset win as an underdog the last 2 seasons.

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG: Josh Giddey

SF: Luguentz Dort

PF: Jalen Williams

C: Aleksej Pokusevski

PG: Trae Young

SG: Dejounte Murray

SF: AJ Griffin

PF: Jalen Johnson

C: Clint Capels

Thunder: Chet Holmgren (foot, out)

Hawks: John Collins (ankle, out), De’Andre Hunter (hip, out)

Points: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 31.1

Rebounds: Josh Giddey – 7.7

Assists: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 6.0

Points: Trae Young – 27.8

Rebounds: Clint Capela – 12.0

Assists: Trae Young – 9.6