Hawks vs. Clippers NBA expert prediction and odds for Sunday, March 17 (How to bet total)

The Atlanta Hawks are still without star guard Trae Young heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are battling for a top spot in the West. 

Los Angeles has been banged up as well, with Kawhi Leonard missing a game recently and James Harden and Norman Powell coming into this game as questionable. Russell Westbrook (hand) is still out. 

With Atlanta looking like a play-in team at best in the East, how should we bet on this matchup? 

The Clippers need this win to cut into the 4.5-game gap between them and the No. 1 seed in the West, but does the team cover as a major favorite? 

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Here are the odds and my favorite play for this matchup on Sunday, March 17: 

Hawks vs. Clippers odds, spread and total

Hawks vs. Clippers how to watch

• Date: Sunday, March 17
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ESt
• Venue: Crypto.com Arena
• How to watch (TV): NBA TV
• Hawks record: 29-37
• Clippers record: 42-24

Hawks vs. Clippers injury reports

Hawks injury report

• Saddiq Bey – out
• Kobe Bufkin – out
• AJ Griffin – out
• Trae Young – out
• Seth Lundy – out
• Onyeka Okongwu – out
• Mouhamed Gueye – out

Clippers injury report

• Norman Powell – questionable
• James Harden – questionable
• Russell Westbrook – out

Hawks vs. Clippers key players to watch

Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson: After missing three games, Hawks forward Jalen Johnson returned to action and promptly dropped 26 points, five rebounds and five dimes in a two-point loss to Utah. The young forward is a serious candidate for the Most Improved Player in the NBA this season. 

Los Angeles Clippers

Paul George: Is Paul George finally starting to Heat up? If so, it’s coming at the right time with the Clippers dealing with some bumps and bruises at this point in the season. Over his last six games, George is averaging 24.7 points per game (scored 20 in each matchup) on 55.4 percent shooting from the field and 50.0 percent shooting from 3. 

Hawks vs. Clippers prediction and pick

I’m looking at the total in this game, as the Hawks have struggled on offense without Young, and the Clippers have gone under the total of 220.5 points in five of their last eight games. 

Atlanta’s offense is struggling, scoring 103 or fewer points in three of its last four games, going UNDER this total in seven of its last 10 games – with two games finishing with 221 points. 

It’s not what we’ve come to expect from the Hawks, but with two starters out, the team isn’t finding offense as easily. 

As for the Clips, they’re one of the best UNDER teams in the NBA (37-27-2) overall this season. 

Plus, the Clippers are 18-11-1 to the UNDER in games as a home favorite. Don’t be shocked to see this game in the low 100s on Sunday.  

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.