76ers vs. Hawks prediction, odds, line: 2021 NBA picks, Dec. 23 best bets from model on 46-23 run

The Philadelphia 76ers look to improve on a 16-15 record when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. Philadelphia is just 6-7 at home, with the Hawks entering at 6-8 on the road and a disappointing 14-16 in the first 30 games overall. Andre Drummond (protocols), Georges Niang (protocols), Danny Green (protocols), Shake Milton (protocols) and Ben Simmons (personal) are out for Philadelphia. Atlanta’s injury report is unofficial on the second night of a back-to-back, though Trae Young (protocols), Kevin Huerter (protocols), Clint Capela (protocols), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (protocols), Lou Williams (protocols), Danilo Gallinari (protocols) and De’Andre Hunter (wrist) missed the team’s game on Wednesday.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. Caesars Sportsbook lists Philadelphia as the 9.5-point home favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 214.5 in the latest Hawks vs. 76ers odds. Before making any 76ers vs. Hawks picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 10 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 46-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $1,900. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Hawks and just locked in its NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Hawks vs. Sixers:

• Hawks vs. 76ers spread: 76ers -9.5
• Hawks vs. 76ers over-under: 214.5 points
• Hawks vs. 76ers money line: 76ers -450, Hawks +350
• ATL: The Hawks are 5-9 against the spread in road games
• PHI: The 76ers are 4-9 against the spread in home games

Why the Hawks can cover

Atlanta’s offense is stellar this season, and that is evident in its overall efficiency. The Hawks are scoring 112.5 points per 100 possessions, the third-best mark in the NBA. Atlanta also leads the league in 3-point shooting, converting 38.0 percent of attempts, and the Hawks land inside the top 10 of the NBA in field goal shooting at 46.3 percent. Atlanta’s ball security provides an edge, with only 12.5 turnovers per game, and the Hawks are making 80.8 percent of free-throw attempts while generating those trips to the charity stripe at an above-average rate. 

On defense, the Hawks are great on glass, securing 74.3 percent of available rebounds after forcing a missed shot. That leads to a top-five mark in second-chance points allowed (11.9 per game), and Philadelphia is currently last in the NBA in offensive rebound rate. Finally, the Hawks are No. 6 in the NBA in free-throw prevention, allowing opponents to attempt only 18.3 free-throw attempts per game.

Why the 76ers can cover

Philadelphia has notable strengths on both offense and defense. The Sixers are shooting 45.8 percent from the floor this season, with Philadelphia attempting well over 20 free throws per game and making 81.6 percent of shots at the charity stripe. That free-throw accuracy ranks No. 3 in the NBA, and the 76ers are No. 4 in the league in turnovers, committing only 12.6 giveaways per game. Philadelphia is generating 1.77 assists for every turnover on offense, and the 76ers are above-average in transition, scoring 12.6 fast break points per game. 

On defense, the 76ers are leading the NBA in blocked shots (6.0 per game) with a top-10 mark in steals (8.0 per game). Philadelphia is also in the top 10 in free-throw attempts allowed (19.8 per game), with an above-average mark in 2-point shooting allowed at 51.6 percent. Atlanta is just No. 29 in fast-break points and, without Young, the Hawks struggle mightily to create and convert efficient shot attempts.

How to make Hawks vs. Sixers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the total, projecting 215 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

So who wins 76ers vs. Hawks? And which side of the spread hits almost 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.