Hawks vs. Pelicans, Odds, Picks and Prediction, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
It’s an interconference clash on the parquet floor in the Big Easy as the Atlanta Hawks clash with the New Orleans Pelicans Friday evening, and we have things covered with our Hawks vs. Pelicans prediction. Atlanta took a 135-126 road loss to San Antonio in their previous contest on Thursday, failing to cover the line as a one-point underdog. New Orleans was on the road to face the Mavericks Friday night in the front half of a back-to-back set. The Pelicans were beaten 125-118 at home by Denver on Wednesday in their previous contest, covering the line as a 10.5-point underdog. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Hawks own a 25-22 advantage and took both meetings last season, including a 124-112 home win in the most recent meeting on December 2, 2024. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the Pelicans’ game with the Mavericks on Friday night. Read more about this Hawks vs. Pelicans prediction! Need some winners? Check out our NBA Predictions and beat the books!
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Hawks Battling for Top Spot in Southeast Division
Atlanta suffered their second straight loss as they were dropped on the road by San Antonio in their previous contest on Thursday. The Hawks entered Friday 9-7 on the year and stood tied for second in the Southeast Division, a half-game behind the Heat for the top spot. Against San Antonio, Atlanta led by six after the opening quarter before getting blitzed 46-26 in the second quarter to trail by 14 at the half. The Hawks cut the deficit to three after three quarters, briefly took a 101-100 lead with 9:17 remaining, but allowed the next 10 points. They never made a push after that to go down in defeat. Atlanta shot 56.3% from the field, including 20 of 37 from three-point range, and turned the ball over 16 times in the contest. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 38 points and five assists in the loss.
The Hawks enter this contest 17th in scoring offense by averaging 117.8 points per game. Atlanta is 25th in rebounding by collecting 41.4 boards a night, while the team stands 1st by dishing out 30.4 assists per contest. Atlanta is 14th in the league in scoring defense as they allow opponents to score 115.7 points per game this season. Trae Young is third on the team with 17.8 points and 7.8 assists per game this season. Jalen Johnson puts up 22.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists a night. Kristaps Porzingis (17.2 points, 5.6 rebounds), Onyeka Okongwu (16 points, 7.4 rebounds), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (19.7 points), Dyson Daniels (8.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists), Vit Krejci (10.4 points), Zaccharie Risacher (12.1 points), Luke Kennard, Keaton Wallace, Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell are key rotation pieces for coach Quin Snyder. Atlanta is 7th in the league in field goal percentage by hitting 49% of their shots from the floor this season. The Hawks are 16th in threes per game as they hit 13.4 per contest and stand 9th in three-point percentage as they hit 37.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc. Atlanta is below average in free-throw shooting as they are 18th in the league by converting 78.7% of their attempts on the year.
Key Injury Report for Hawks:
- Guard Trae Young (leg) is out.
- Center N’Faly Dante (knee) is questionable.
- Forward Onyeka Okongwu (undisclosed) is questionable.
New Orleans Mired in Western Conference Cellar
New Orleans suffered a seventh straight loss as they were dropped by Denver at home in their previous contest on Wednesday. The Pelicans fell to 2-13 on the year and are in the basement of the Southwest Division, nine games behind the Rockets and Spurs for the top spot. Against Denver, New Orleans led by 13 with 5:34 to play in the first quarter only to see the lead trimmed to four after the opening quarter. The Pelicans trailed by four at the half and never got even again. They trailed by 14 after three quarters and by as many as 19 with 4:24 remaining before closing the margin down the stretch. New Orleans shot 44.9% from the field, including seven of 34 from three-point range, and allowed Denver to shoot 55.4% in the game. Rookie Derik Queen led the Pelicans with 30 points and nine rebounds in the win.
On the season, the Pelicans are 30th in the league in scoring offense as they average 108.9 points per game on the season. New Orleans is 26th in rebounding by collecting 41.3 boards a night, while the team ranks 30th in assists by dishing out 22.8 dimes a night. The Pelicans are 25th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 122.1 points per game so far this year. Zion Williamson leads the team with 21.3 points plus 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists a night. Jordan Poole (17.3 points), Trey Murphy III (19.9 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Jeremiah Fears (15.3 points, 2.7 assists) are solid secondary scoring options. Herbert Jones (9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds), Saddiq Bey (11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds), Yves Missi, Derik Queen (11.7 points, 6.4 rebounds), DeAndre Jordan, Jordan Hawkins, Kevon Looney, Jose Alvarado and Bryce McGowens are key pieces in the Pelicans’ rotation. New Orleans is 27th in field goal percentage by shooting 44.7% from the field as a team this season. The Pelicans are 24th in the league in threes per game as they knock down 11.6 triples per contest and stand 23rd in three-point shooting by hitting 34.2% percent from beyond the arc. New Orleans is 24th in the league in free-throw shooting by converting 76.2% of their attempts at the line.
Key Injury Report for Pelicans:
- Forward Karlo Matkovic (calf) is out.
- Guard Jordan Poole (knee) is out.
- Guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) is out.
Hawks vs. Pelicans Pick
Hawks vs. Pelicans Moneyline Pick
- Hawks (4 units)
New Orleans is playing the second game of a back-to-back here, and they have to travel home after playing in Dallas on Friday. The Pelicans are just 1-7 at home this season with a -12-ppg scoring differential on the season. While New Orleans is 1-1 in the second game of back-to-back situations this season, they are actually worse than their season average offensively, putting up 105 ppg in those contests. Atlanta has dropped two straight coming into this game but they have the rest advantage in addition to the talent edge in this contest. Take the Hawks on the road here as they come up with the victory.
Hawks vs. Pelicans Over/Under Pick
- Over (4 units)
Atlanta has seen the over post a 9-7 mark in their opening 16 games in relation to the total this season, entering Friday night’s action. The Hawks are 17th in scoring offense, 18th in offensive efficiency, and 10th in tempo with an average of 101.7 possessions per game. New Orleans has gone over the number in nine of their 15 games on the year entering Friday night. The Pelicans are last in the league in scoring offense, 26th in offensive efficiency and 26th in terms of pace with 98.3 possessions a night. Atlanta has gone over in each of their last five games, while New Orleans entered Friday having gone over in four of their last five. Look for the Hawks to push the tempo and pile up points to go over the number.
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