Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks 12/01: Betting Odds, Picks and Predictions

Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Clint Capela (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Clint Capela (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Denver Nuggets head over to sunny Georgia to take on the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night as very slight road favorites per FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Nuggets will be looking to win their fifth straight while the Hawks will be looking to get back to winning ways after having lost four of their last six games. If you’re looking to find some juicy action on this matchup, look no further. We’ve got the best bets and props for you right here!

Denver Nuggets @ Atlanta Hawks – Total Points Under 233.0

Both the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks are in the top 15 in points per game so far this season, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been a great team for people in the overs club. Even their combined average total is below this matchup’s 233 number, and the trends are pointing towards the under on Friday night too.

The Hawks have had just one game top 233 points over their last nine that didn’t go to overtime. The over is also 4-7 when the Hawks are playing at home in State Farm Arena and 3-13 over their past 16 when they’re playing a team that’s won 60+ percent of their games.

Additionally, the Denver Nuggets have shown that after a blowout win they’re not likely to score a ton of points, with the last four games following a double-digit win hitting the under. They’ve been winning with a much more efficient offense and better defense lately, with seven of their last eight non-OT games finishing under 233 total points.

Over their past 10 outings, the Nuggets have allowed the 8th-fewest points per game and when the over/under has been 230 or more, the under is 6-3. All signs point to a hard-fought and low-scoring dance between the Nuggets and the Hawks, so hammer that under at standard -110 odds on FanDuel ladies and gentlemen.

Denver Nuggets @ Atlanta Hawks – Nikola Jokic Under 20.5 Assists + Rebounds

Everything the Denver Nuggets do runs through their back-to-back MVP center Nikola Jokic, but he hasn’t been stuffing the stat sheet this year quite the same as he was over the past two seasons. In his last 13 games, the Big Cevapi has gathered 21+ assists and rebounds just twice. He hasn’t exactly been on top of his game when he’s gone up against the Hawks during his illustrious career either.

In 14 career games against the Hawks, he’s averaged just 18 points and he’s only combined for more than 20 assists and rebounds in one of those matchups. Clint Capela is questionable for this one, and if he doesn’t play, it’ll be a plus for Jokic given that he hasn’t scored more than 25 points against Capela in their last seven matchups.

The Hawks have been solid against opposing bigs this year as well, allowing centers just 14.7 rebounds and 3.5 dimes per game during this campaign. We’re hoping to see the Big Honey lead the Nuggets to a win against the Hawks, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be putting up any gaudy numbers in Georgia. Go with the under on the big man’s 20.5 assists + rebounds prop at -108 odds.

Denver Nuggets @ Atlanta Hawks – Jamal Murray Over 20.5 Points

What a beautiful sight Jamal Murray has been for Nuggets fans this season. One never knows whether a hooper will return to form after tearing a major knee ligament, but Murray is starting to look like his old self again. He’s not quite “Bubble Jamal” but that was really a unicorn of a performance anyway.

Following his return from an ACL tear that caused him to miss all of the 2021-2022 season, Murray managed 20+ points in just two of his first 11 games. Since then, the Blue Arrow has topped 20 points in five of his last six, including his first 30-point game of the year a few nights ago against the Rockets.

The matchup with the Hawks doesn’t hurt either. Dejounte Murray has some really good length that contributed to some stellar defense with the Spurs, but since his arrival in Atlanta this offseason, he’s been much more focused on the offensive side of things.

We all know the diminutive Trae Young is not much of a defender, so Murray should have no problem hitting that 20-point mark and cashing the over on his points prop at -106 odds.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.