The Lakers visit Atlanta at State Farm Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET. Regional coverage is available through NBA League Pass where eligible. Los Angeles played in Detroit Sunday, while Atlanta has been off since Saturday. At the time of this writing the spread and total odds were not released on the verified board used here. See more of our NBA picks.
The Lakers Can Make Atlanta Pay for Helping Early
Los Angeles improved to 9-2 and 4-1 on the road with Sunday’s 121-116 win at Detroit. Beating the Pistons on the road makes it hard to dismiss the Lakers here, but following that game with another road assignment gives Atlanta an opening.
The Lakers averaged 122.0 points and allowed 114.3 through Saturday. Their best chance is to make Atlanta help against a drive or post touch, then move the ball before the Hawks can recover. If Atlanta gets them playing one-on-one late in the clock, the travel spot matters more.
Luka Doncic scored 53 against Portland on Friday. His back tightness had put him on Sunday’s injury report, so Monday’s designation matters. The Lakers can generate offense through his passing even if he doesn’t score at that level, but they’ll have a harder time controlling the game if he’s limited.
Atlanta Has More Time to Prepare Its Defensive Matchups
The Hawks are 7-4 and 3-2 at home after beating Brooklyn 124-121 on Saturday. They needed a late comeback. That win is a reason to trust Atlanta’s ability to finish, but the Hawks can’t count on digging out of another big deficit.
Atlanta averages 118.6 points and gives up 115.5. I like its chances when it can attack before the Lakers sort out their matchups. The other side of that is transition defense: an Atlanta miss followed by a slow recovery gives Los Angeles the easier shot it wants.
Jalen Johnson scored 30 against Brooklyn. Dyson Daniels added 10 rebounds and seven assists. Johnson gives Atlanta a way to attack without waiting for a screen, while Daniels can pressure the ball and help finish possessions. Both roles matter against a Lakers team that can punish a single missed rotation.
Lakers vs Hawks Team Comparison
| Category | Lakers | Hawks |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 9-2 | 7-4 |
| Road / home | 4-1 road | 3-2 home |
| Points scored / allowed | 122.0 / 114.3 | 118.6 / 115.5 |
| Last game | Won 121-116 at Detroit, Sunday | Won 124-121 vs Brooklyn, Saturday |
Lakers vs Hawks Position-by-Position
| Position | Lakers | Hawks | Projected edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Doncic controls pace and forces help | Daniels can pressure the first action | Lakers if Doncic is unrestricted |
| SG | Secondary ball handling against switches | Alexander-Walker can attack rotating defenders | Even |
| SF | Wings must get back after misses | Atlanta can push off long rebounds | Atlanta |
| PF | Keep a body between Johnson and the rim | Johnson can drive or pass on the move | Atlanta |
| C | Interior size and finishing | Okongwu can pull coverage away from the rim | Even |
Los Angeles Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks Picks and Prediction
Side Pick: Atlanta to Win
I lean Atlanta because its rest and wing play give it a way to force a few extra mistakes. It’s a close call: a healthy Doncic can take the game out of Atlanta’s preferred pace and control the last few possessions. This is a projected winner, with no spread pick at the cutoff.
Total Pick: Pending
My projection is Atlanta 119, Los Angeles 116. The path to a higher score is both teams converting before the defense gets set. The lower-scoring version has Los Angeles deliberately slowing the game and Atlanta struggling to get clean shots against a set defense. I’m waiting for a verified total.
Final Picks: Atlanta to win. Spread and total pending.
Completed November 8, 2026. Lines and player availability can change before tipoff.