That the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns are among the final four in the NBA playoffs might have caught some basketball fans by surprise. However, for those who are involved with NBA betting at online sports betting sites, this development wasn’t the least bit surprising.
The Suns and the Hawks are two of the top three NBA teams to play for bettors who wagered on point spread betting during this season. Phoenix owns the NBA’s best record against the spread this season, while the Hawks are slotted in at No. 3 overall.
For those not familiar with sports betting, a point spread is assigned to every game. For instance, it might list one team as a three-point favorite. In this example, the team is expected to win the game. However, the spread means that they’d be required to win the game by more than three points in order to cover the spread and create a winning wager.
On the other hand, suppose a team was listed as a five-point underdog. In this case, the team is expected to lose the game. Thanks to the five-point spread, as long as they don’t lose by five or more points, a spread bet on them would still be a winner.
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Suns Are Shining
It’s been a banner year for Phoenix. The Suns were the NBA Western Conference’s second-best team during the regular season, finishing one game behind the Utah Jazz. However, when it comes to spread betting, the Suns finish behind no team.
According to data compiled by Team Rankings, Phoenix is 51-30-2 against the spread this season, meaning the Suns have successfully covered the spread in 51 games. Their .630 winning percentage against the spread is the best of any team in the NBA. As well, Phoenix’s return on investment of 22.12 percent on ATS wagers is the best in the NBA by far.
The Suns are also an NBA-best 28-14 ATS at home this season. Again, their .667 win rate is No. 1 in the league. As a home favorite Phoenix is 26-11 (.703). That is second overall in the NBA. Doubting the Suns can prove costly. Phoenix is also the NBA’s best away underdog ATS at 9-3 (.750).
They’re also an NBA-best 33-19-1 (.635) ATS in games against other Western Conference teams. So far in the playoffs, Phoenix is also tops in the NBA ATS at 9-2 (.818).
Hawks Continue To Soar
Finishing fifth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference with a 41-31 record, Atlanta wasn’t seen as a legitimate contender to win the NBA title or even reach the NBA Finals. However, those who followed spread betting across the league this season knew that the Hawks were legit.
Atlanta is 47-36-1 ATS this season, tied with the Jazz for the second-most ATS victories. Atlanta’s ATS win rate of 56.6 percent was third behind the Suns and the New York Knicks (.605). The Hawks return on investment of 10.44 percent rates them fourth overall in the league.
As a home team, Atlanta was also third-best in the league ATS at 26-15 (.634). The Hawks’ 72 percent win rate ATS as a home favorite (18-7) is tops in the entire league. In the playoffs, Atlanta is just a touch behind the Suns in ATS betting at 8-4 (.667).
