Hawks vs Lakers

LeBron James and Luka Doncic host this one on a three-game slide, but catching Atlanta in the middle of a West Coast swing after the Hawks’ four-game heater — and with Kristaps Porzingis, N’Faly Dante and Zaccharie Risacher all banged up or out — tilts some late-game stability back toward the Lakers’ star duo. Los Angeles is still anchored by a top-flight on-ball creator combo and a big front line with Deandre Ayton, while Atlanta’s recent surge has leaned heavily on Jalen Johnson’s near point-forward usage and improved team defense rather than a single closer, and LeBron in particular has repeatedly carved the Hawks in recent matchups. With both teams around the 41-game mark and jockeying for top-four security in the West versus play-in positioning in the East, taking the plus-money home side to stop its skid carries solid but not elite value, so the Lakers moneyline at +125 gets a B grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 13/01/2026 09:54

Atlanta’s four-game winning streak has featured a clear defensive uptick and slightly slower late-game tempos, even though their season-long profile screams pace, while the Lakers’ recent three-game losing run has seen their offense bog down despite strong top-line efficiency numbers on the year. With Porzingis and frontcourt depth issues for the Hawks plus perimeter absences on the Lakers’ side like Austin Reaves (and limited Rui Hachimura), both rotations are leaning more on halfcourt creation from Jalen Johnson, CJ McCollum, LeBron and Luka than on waves of shooters, and their recent game totals have hovered in the low-to-mid 220s despite each allowing around 117 points per night on the season. Add in the midseason playoff-race urgency that tends to tighten whistles and rotations, and Under 232.5 at -110 profiles as a modest edge rather than a smash, worthy of a B grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 13/01/2026 09:54

Given Los Angeles is getting +3.5 at home despite boasting LeBron, Luka and Ayton against a Hawks team that’s hot (four straight wins) but shorthanded in the frontcourt and still integrating McCollum and new shooters, the number bakes in Atlanta’s recent form more than the overall talent and situational edges. The Lakers’ current three-game skid and mediocre net rating temper their profile, yet their star-heavy crunch-time lineup has historically punished the Hawks, and Atlanta’s improved defense is still being tested on this long trip just as they’re fighting to climb from ninth toward the middle of the East bracket. In a game that projects to be tight with legitimate late-possession variance, grabbing the home dog through the key three — and aligned with a lean to the Lakers moneyline — offers slightly better value than the side on Atlanta, so Lakers +3.5 at -120 earns a B+ grade. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 13/01/2026 09:54