NBA Basketball
2026-04-10 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Friday 10th April 2026 - Scheduled 7pm EST
12am (British Time)
Preview
A First Round Series at home has been secured by the Cleveland Cavaliers (51-29) and they have seemingly accepted finishing as the Number 4 Seed in the Eastern Conference. That will mean a likely Second Round Series with the top Seeded Detroit Pistons, but the Cavaliers have long looked like a team happy to do that rather than facing the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks in that Round.
There is a 2 game gap between the Cavaliers and the Number 3 Seeded Knicks with two games left in the regular season, but it was made clear that the focus is on the Playoffs beginning next weekend. That followed the home win over the Atlanta Hawks (45-35) and Cleveland will not be travelling with key players suited up.
It is a win that has meant back to back defeats for the Atlanta Hawks and the Toronto Raptors have been able to move past them for the Number 5 Seed. Ultimately the only ambition for Atlanta is to make sure they are playing in the First Round of the Playoffs next week without the need to go through the Play In Tournament and they are not so concerned about whether that is as the Number 5 or Number 6 Seed.
Four wins in a row have moved the Orlando Magic to within 1 game of the Atlanta Hawks and so the only focus on Friday is to make sure the win is secured that will see them into the post-season. A defeat would put some pressure on the Hawks on the final day of the regular season on Sunday, but they will believe they have all of the qualities needed to win this game.
Of course they are being aided by the key contributors of the Cleveland Cavaliers watching on, rather than being on the court, and that gives Atlanta every opportunity to split this home and home series this week and the overall season series at two wins apiece.
The line is much bigger than it would be if this was a normal situation, but the Atlanta Hawks may still be able to cover.
A much stronger Cleveland team beat them by 6 points earlier this week, but that was at home and Atlanta will take encouragement from the Offensive performance. Winning a few more battles on the glass will tip this game in favour of the home team, while the back up players may not be able to propel Cleveland forward as efficiently as the starters were able to do in that victory.
Layers know that teams 'needing' wins tend to be overrated at the back end of any sporting season, but this is a number that the Atlanta Hawks can deal with before key players earn some rest on the final day of the season.
There should be enough Offensive power from the Hawks to see them over the line here, even at the inflated number put up.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Atlanta Hawks 118-107 Cleveland Cavaliers
