Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Pick & Preview - 1/9/2026
Updated July 9, 2026
Friday night’s NBA action includes a matchup at Ball Arena between the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets. The Hawks enter this contest coming off a solid win and looking to overcome significant roster changes in this matchup, while the Nuggets have been fighting through injuries but remain a top Western Conference squad. Here, I break down both rosters and make my Hawks vs Nuggets prediction in the betting markets.
Pick: | Nuggets -1.5 |
Confidence: | 4/5 |
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The Hawks (18-21) are in a transitional phase, having recently traded four-time All-Star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Young’s absence changes Atlanta’s offensive identity, putting more pressure on Jalen Johnson and role players like Zaccharie Risacher and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to produce consistently. Johnson has been impressive this season, averaging around 24 points and over 8 rebounds per game, and he showcased his all-around game with a triple-double in a recent win over the Knicks.
Atlanta got CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in the Trae Young trade. McCollum's expiring contract was the main selling point in that deal, but McCollum is still a useful player for the rest of this season. He is listed as questionable to make his Hawks debut in this contest in the Mile High City.
Denver (25-12) has handled adversity with key injuries, including the absence of superstar Nikola Jokic due to a knee injury. Despite that, the Nuggets recently secured a road win over the Celtics, led by Peyton Watson’s 30 points and Jamal Murray’s all-around contributions. Denver’s bench players are stepping up as the team copes with multiple absences, including Jonas Valanciunas to go along with Jokic, but head coach David Adelman has kept the club competitive and in playoff position in the West.
Player | Prop |
|---|---|
Jalen Johnson | Over 24.5 Points |
Peyton Watson | Over 15.5 Points |
Jamal Murray | Over 28.5 Points |
Score Projection: Atlanta Hawks 112 – Denver Nuggets 120
Win Probability: Atlanta Hawks 35%, Denver Nuggets 65%
The Hawks should be interesting to watch if McCollum can play, as they try to get on the same page with one another on the court. As for the outcome of this game, I lean toward the Nuggets to get the win on their home floor. Denver is without its top star, but they still have a continuity advantage and should do just enough at home to cover the spread.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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