The 2022-23 NBA season continues on Friday, Dec. 30 with even more basketball action, including a clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks. Neither side has been playing well lately and with the campaign’s halfway point right around the corner, tonight’s Lakers vs Hawks showdown is a must-win situation for both teams.

The Lakers’ woes continued on Wednesday with a 112-98 loss to the Miami Heat. It was the fifth time that Los Angeles lost in its last six outings, leading to LeBron James’ frustration-filled press conference. It now remains to be seen whether or not it’s too late for the Lakers to salvage their mess of a season.

Meanwhile, the Hawks also lost in their last outing — a 108-107 defeat at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets two nights ago. Atlanta was without several key players in defeat, so having any number of them back for tonight’s contest will be key to beating Los Angeles.

There’s a lot to take in before Friday’s Lakers vs Hawks game. Fortunately, Betting News has gathered the game’s odds while also having a prediction and best bet for tonight’s contest.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers (14-21, 6-13 Away) vs. Atlanta Hawks (17-18, 11-7 Home)
• Venue & Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Date: Friday, Dec. 30, 2022
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Lakers vs Hawks Info: NBA TV, Bally Sports Southeast, Spectrum SportsNet

Lakers vs Hawks Odds

Game odds are via FanDuel as of Friday, Dec. 30 at 9:05 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Los Angeles Lakers +7.5 (-110)
• Atlanta Hawks -7.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 239.5 Points (-108)
• Under 239.5 Points (-112)

Moneyline

• Los Angeles Lakers +240
• Atlanta Hawks -295

Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends

• The Lakers are 9-3 straight up in their last 12 games against Atlanta.
• Atlanta is 4-8 straight up in its last 12 games.
• The Lakers are 1-6 against the spread (ATS) in their last seven games.
• Atlanta is 8-1 ATS in its last nine games played on Friday.
• The total has hit the over in seven of the Lakers’ last eight road games.
• The total has hit the over in eight of Atlanta’s last 11 games against the Western Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction and Picks

Lakers vs Hawks Prediction: Hawks 128, Lakers 118

Lakers vs Hawks Picks: Hawks -7.5 (Best Value: -110 at FanDuel) & Over 239.5 Points (Best Value: -108 at FanDuel)

As the season goes on, it’s become increasingly difficult to trust the Lakers. That’s even more so the case now that Anthony Davis is sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The Lakers enter this contest having also lost seven of their last nine road games. The only two teams they’ve beaten over that stretch are the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons, who happen to be two of the Eastern Conference’s bottom-three teams.

One of the reasons that the Lakers have been losing lately — whether on the road or at home — is due to a lack of defense. On top of surrendering 117.6 points per game this season (No. 27), they’ve allowed opponents to score at least 124 points in four of the last five games.

The Hawks, who average 114.3 PPG (No. 14) should be able to take advantage of the Lakers’ putrid defense. After all, Atlanta has scored 123-plus points in three of its last five home games, resulting in a victory every time that the feat was achieved.

It also helps that Trae Young (calf) is probable to suit up against Los Angeles tonight after missing Wednesday’s game. If De’Andre Hunter (questionable, ankle) can also play, Atlanta will be in even better shape.

It doesn’t even matter that LeBron has been putting up big numbers for the Lakers lately. Despite averaging 32.1 points on 56.7% shooting over his last nine games, Los Angeles has still found different ways to lose.

Now that he’s day-to-day with an ankle injury, there’s a chance that LeBron won’t even play tonight, which would make the Lakers’ chances of winning drop even more. Dennis Schroder (foot) and Austin Reaves’ (ankle) status is also up in the air for tonight.

Even as far as betting trends go, there’s little reason to side with the Lakers. They’ve failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games and even though the Hawks have had their struggles too, they have at least covered in two of their last three games.

At the end of the day, it’s better to fade the Lakers yet again. Between LeBron being mentally checked out and Los Angeles finding new ways to come up short, it’s clear that the Hawks are the safer pick tonight.

I’m taking the Hawks at -7.5 on the spread due to the Lakers’ inability to defend. It also helps that Los Angeles carries a minus-6.5 road scoring margin, whereas Atlanta is a plus-3.0 in its last three games.

I’m also backing the total going over 239.5 points. Neither side’s defense has been great this year, leading to the total going over in seven of the Lakers’ last eight road games, as well as in seven of the Hawks’ last 10 overall. Besides, Young’s return will provide the game with an offensive boost (27.3 PPG in 31 games) that’ll make hitting the over even easier.

Other Los Angeles vs Atlanta Resources

• Lakers vs Hawks Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats