Free NBA Picks Today: New Orleans Pelicans vs Atlanta Hawks 2/7/23

The Atlanta Hawks (27-27, 14-16 Away) travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans (28-27, 19-9 Home) Tuesday at Smoothie King Center. Atlanta was dismantled by the Denver Nuggets 128-108 at Ball Arena on Saturday. Dejounte Murray had a standout performance in the losing effort with 28 points and 10 assists.

The Hawks are the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. New Orleans won in dominant fashion on Sunday at Smoothie King Center, beating the Sacramento Kings 136-104. Trey Murphy III had 30 points to lead the team. The Pelicans are 10th in the Western Conference.

This marks the final meeting of the season between the teams. After winning the only prior season game against New Orleans 124-121 in overtime at State Farm Arena in November 2022, Atlanta will be aiming for a season sweep. Trae Young led the Hawks with 34 points, while Clint Capela was a key contributor with 21 points, 19 rebounds, and four blocks.

CJ McCollum had 29 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. The Hawks have been led this season by Young, who is averaging 27.0 points per game. Young also has dished 9.9 assists per game, third-most in the NBA.

Meanwhile, Capela is grabbing 11.5 rebounds.McCollum’s 21.3 points per game have powered the Pels on offense. McCollum also has recorded 5.8 assists per game. Jonas Valanciunas has pulled down 9.7 rebounds per game.

The Hawks have had the advantage in the last 10 games at Smoothie King Center, winning seven. Atlanta is 5-5 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +2.1 (121.7-119.6). New Orleans has a 2-8 record over the last 10, allowing 114.4 points per game on average while scoring only 110.5 (-3.9 margin).

HAWKS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Rebounds per game:
John Collins: 4.2 | 7.4 | -3.2
Assists per game:
Dejounte Murray: 8.2 | 6.2 | +2.0

PELICANS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Larry Nance Jr.: 22.8 | 15.9 | +6.9
Points per game:
Trey Murphy III: 18.0 | 13.0 | +5.0
Rebounds per game:
Larry Nance Jr.: 10.6 | 6.0 | +4.6
Assists per game:
Brandon Ingram: 6.7 | 5.0 | +1.7