Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Prediction for Monday November 9 2026

The Lakers head to Atlanta on Monday night for a 7 PM ET game against the Hawks at State Farm Arena. Los Angeles has to play Detroit on Sunday, so this is the second half of a back-to-back. Atlanta gets a day off after beating Brooklyn 124-121 on Saturday. The Lakers have been the better offensive team, but that schedule makes things interesting. Atlanta can score, and the Hawks have been getting plenty of opportunities against defenses that aren’t exactly locking anybody down. I think the Lakers have the better team. I’m just not convinced this is the right spot to back them. The NBA action is just starting to heat up on the court and you need to make sure you are fully prepared with our free NBA predictions.

Los Angeles Lakers Have Been Winning With Offense

Los Angeles enters Sunday’s game against Detroit at 8-2, including 3-1 on the road. The Lakers beat Portland 124-118 on Friday and Sacramento 116-103 on Wednesday. They’ve been scoring consistently, and that’s why they’ve been winning. Opponents haven’t had much luck keeping them under control, particularly when the Lakers start finding open shots.

Los Angeles is averaging 122 points per game, the highest mark in the NBA, while allowing 114.3. That’s a pretty big offensive advantage against most opponents. The Lakers have been able to survive defensive mistakes because they can score in bunches. Atlanta, though, is averaging nearly 119 points itself. This isn’t a matchup where Los Angeles can assume 115 points will be enough.

The schedule is my biggest concern. The Lakers have to play Detroit on Sunday, travel to Atlanta, and get right back on the court Monday. That’s a lot of basketball against two good Eastern Conference opponents. Los Angeles needs its main scoring options fresh, and the final injury report will matter. If the Lakers are missing anybody important after Sunday’s game, this becomes an even tougher assignment.

Atlanta Hawks Have Been Finding Ways to Win

Atlanta is 7-4 overall and 3-2 at home after beating Brooklyn 124-121 on Saturday. The Hawks have won four straight, and that latest victory wasn’t easy. They fell behind by 17 before fighting back to win. You don’t want to make a habit of digging holes like that, but Atlanta has shown it can score quickly enough to erase them.

The Hawks are averaging 118.6 points and allowing 115.5. That’s not a great defensive average, but it’s enough when the offense is producing. Atlanta has been comfortable playing at a faster pace, and that could create problems for a Lakers team playing on consecutive nights. The Hawks aren’t likely to shut Los Angeles down. They need to make the Lakers defend for four quarters.

Jalen Johnson scored 30 points against Brooklyn after returning from an ankle injury. That’s an important development because Atlanta needs another dependable scoring option when games get tight. His availability should still be checked before Monday, but that performance gives the Hawks another reason to feel confident. Atlanta has the fresher legs and home court. I think both matter here.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick: Atlanta Hawks

I’m taking Atlanta. The Lakers are the better team on paper, and their offense has been outstanding. But Los Angeles has to play Detroit on Sunday before traveling to Atlanta, while the Hawks get a day to recover. Atlanta has won four straight and is scoring 118.6 points a night. The Hawks aren’t a defensive powerhouse, so the Lakers could absolutely shoot their way to another win. I just think this is a difficult scheduling spot, and Atlanta has enough offense to take advantage.

Total Pick: Over 231.5 Points

Give me the over 231.5 if that’s the number. Los Angeles is scoring 122 points per game, and Atlanta is at 118.6. Neither defense has been particularly dependable, with both allowing more than 114. The Lakers could be tired, but that can hurt defensive effort just as much as shooting. My concern is Los Angeles coming out flat after playing Sunday. Still, I think Atlanta pushes the pace and both teams have enough scoring to get into the 115-to-120 range.

Final Picks: Atlanta Hawks Moneyline | Over 231.5 Points (if available)