Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Prediction for Thursday October 29 2026

The Thursday NBA schedule will get started with an intriguing matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks. Tipoff is scheduled for October 29, 2026 at 8:00 pm EST from State Farm Arena. The game will be televised on NBA TV. The Hawks are a small 1.5 point home favorite and the total is sitting at 239.5. Be ready for all of this season's NBA action with our free NBA picks.

Cleveland off to a good start

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons and were swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers (3-1) brought back their talented core four players and have won their first three home games. Last night, Cleveland erased a ten-point halftime deficit to earn a 121-111 home victory versus an upstart Washington squad. 

All-Star F Evan Mobley scored a game-high 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. Cleveland G Peyton Watson chipped in 22 points (9-17 FG) and six boards. All-Star G Donovan Mitchell added 19 points (6-13 FG), seven assists, and five rebounds for the Cavaliers. 

Cleveland has finished in the top five in offensive efficiency the past two seasons and are currently 19th in that category. The Cavaliers are ninth in effective field goal percentage (54.3) and are averaging a shade below 120 points per game. During last night’s victory, Cleveland assisted on 26 of 43 made field goals and shot 47 percent overall.

Atlanta looking to snap a three-game skid

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the hottest teams in the NBA after the All-Star Break and lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. The Hawks (2-3) have embraced a reimagined defensive identity for head coach Quin Snyder and added elite on-ball defender Lu Dort from Oklahoma City. Last night, Atlanta trailed for 90 percent of the time during a 129-117 home loss versus Miami. 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker and rookie G Kingston Flemings led Atlanta with 23 points each on a combined 17-for-30 shooting performance. Veteran G C.J. McCollum scored 13 points (6-9 FG) in 20 minutes of action. All-Star F Jalen Johnson added 12 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds for the Hawks. 

Atlanta currently ranks 12th in the league in defensive efficiency and allows 115.2 points per game. Last night, the Hawks were outrebounded by a 52-40 margin and let the Heat shoot 53 percent from the field. Atlanta was outscored 70-52 in the paint and connected on 16-for-38 from the three-point line.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Prediction

Pick: Atlanta Hawks -1.5

Atlanta F Mouhamed Gueye is recovering from surgery on a fractured left foot and plans to make his season debut later next month. These two teams split their four meetings a season ago, with no team breaking through on the road. The Hawks are 2-3 ATS and the Cavaliers own a 1-4 ATS number. Take Atlanta to win and cover at home.

Pick: Over 239.5

Cleveland is playing at the third fastest tempo in the league and Atlanta ranks eighth in that category. After a season opening loss at Philadelphia, the Cavaliers have averaged 124.3 points in their next three games. The Hawks have lost three straight and surrendered at least 120 points in each. The winning team will need to score 125 plus points. Take the over.

Final Score Prediction: Atlanta Hawks win 125-119