Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction

Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction comes before their NBA regular season clash on Friday, March 12th 2021, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Read my match preview for the correct score predictions and best betting tips ahead of this fixture.

Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks Preview

After contrasting road wins in Miami and Orlando before the All-Star break, Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks (16-20) look to continue where they left off with new interim coach Nate McMillan against an Eastern Conference rival who also find themselves below .500 as the second-half of the regular season gets underway.

Toronto will have head coach Nick Nurse back after successfully quarantining, though the same cannot be said all-round - suggesting this is a must-win Hawks clash against a weakened Raptors side following a week's break.

After averaging 3.4 and 5.3 minutes in January and February, respectively, second-year SG Matt Thomas played 22 minutes with the bench unit's increased responsibility and faired relatively well - 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting despite their double-digit defeat by the Detroit Pistons.

Considering coronavirus continues to hamper Toronto, it's likely the 26-year-old will get an extended opportunity to justify why he deserves more minutes in Nurse's rotation. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet are all still sidelined on the injury report (health and safety protocols), while Terence Davis (ankle) is questionable.

Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Tips

Norman Powell and Lowry - linked in trade speculation - will be key to the Raptors’ potential success, alongside fourth-year PF Chris Boucher, who has thrived with more minutes this term. The 28-year-old had a season-high 30 points during their 132-125 defeat by Boston last time out, but the question of consistency is a pressing one.

Although it will likely be competitive, I'm leaning towards Young proving pivotal in an important Hawks win.