Hawks vs Trail Blazers Midseason Showdown in Portland

Atlanta’s revamped backcourt with CJ McCollum heads into Moda Center having won three of its last five on this recent run, while Portland just followed a five-game surge with back-to-back losses, cooling off a bit at exactly midseason in the play-in chase for both conferences. ([2.racing.cbssports.com](https://www.2.racing.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/live/NBA_20260115_ATL%40POR/?utm_source=openai)) The Hawks are still down Kristaps Porzingis and rookie wing Zaccharie Risacher, plus N’Faly Dante for the year, but McCollum and Jalen Johnson give them more half-court creation than a Blazers side that’s likely missing Damian Lillard (season), Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle, Kris Murray and possibly Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/injuries/_/name/atl/atlanta-hawks)) Even with Portland’s 8–0 run in its last eight home games against Atlanta and the usual Moda bump, the current Hawks group profiles as deeper and more balanced than a heavily injured Blazers rotation now leaning on Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday and Donovan Clingan for offense. ([oddsshark.com](https://www.oddsshark.com/nba/atlanta-portland-odds-january-15-2026-2459204?utm_source=openai)) Laying -182 on the moneyline isn’t cheap, but given Atlanta’s overall health advantage and superior late-game shot creation, the edge is real enough to justify a B+ grade for value and likelihood of cashing. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 15/01/2026 09:56

Portland’s injury list, with Lillard ruled out for the season and multiple perimeter creators like Henderson, Thybulle and possibly Avdija sidelined or limited, points toward a thinner offense that’s been grinding out wins more with size and defense than shootouts lately. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/injuries/_/name/por/portland-trail-blazers)) The Blazers have seen the total stay under in 11 of their last 14, while Atlanta has gone under in four of its last five despite ranking top-tier in raw scoring thanks to a leaky but slowly tightening defense. ([sportsinsider.com](https://www.sportsinsider.com/nba/odds/2459204-atl-vs-por?utm_source=openai)) Season-long numbers show these teams combining for around 234 points per game, but recent market totals have already drifted down toward the high 220s, so getting an Under at 230.5 with injury attrition baked in on both sides (including Porzingis and Risacher for Atlanta) offers some cushion against a late scoring burst. ([bleachernation.com](https://www.bleachernation.com/picks/2026/01/15/hawks-vs-trail-blazers-predictions-best-bets-and-odds-thursday-january-15-2026/?utm_source=openai)) With Portland’s rotation stretched and both clubs jockeying for midseason positioning rather than pushing pace recklessly, Under 230.5 at -118 earns a B+ as a solid, if slightly juiced, position. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 15/01/2026 09:56

Jalen Johnson’s breakout and McCollum’s shot-making give Atlanta the higher ceiling, but Portland getting +3.5 at home still carries weight when you factor in the Blazers’ strong 22-18-1 ATS mark, their success as larger underdogs, and an 8–0 straight-up run hosting the Hawks in their last eight meetings. ([oddsshark.com](https://www.oddsshark.com/nba/atlanta-portland-odds-january-15-2026-2459204?utm_source=openai)) Even with Lillard, Henderson and others out, the Blazers have been competitive behind Deni Avdija’s leap, Jerami Grant when available, and a deep stable of wings and bigs, helping them go 5–2 ATS in their last seven and sit at a respectable 10–10 at home. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/injuries/_/name/por/portland-trail-blazers)) Atlanta is just 4–8 ATS when favored by four or more this season, and with both rosters banged up, this profiles as another tight, midseason grinder where grabbing the home dog and the hook over the key number of three has slightly better risk–reward than laying points. ([bleachernation.com](https://www.bleachernation.com/picks/2026/01/15/hawks-vs-trail-blazers-predictions-best-bets-and-odds-thursday-january-15-2026/?utm_source=openai)) Given the injury volatility but strong trend support, Portland +3.5 at -105 gets a B: not as safe as the Hawks moneyline, yet offering more upside if the Blazers keep their home streak vs Atlanta alive. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 15/01/2026 09:56