Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Friday January 9 2026
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On Friday, the Atlanta Hawks (17-21) face off against the Denver Nuggets (24-12) at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. This game will air on Altitude Sports and NBA League Pass. Keep up to date with all the NBA action, with our NBA predictions.
Atlanta vs. Denver Game Information
- January 9, 2026
- 9:00pm EST
- Ball Arena
- Altitude Sports/NBA League Pass
Denver Form & Recent Results
Denver heads into this matchup looking to build some momentum, having just notched a victory in their last game. Before that, however, they struggled a bit, falling short in three of their previous five games leading up to their Wednesday contest against Boston. Their most recent win was a thrilling one, as Jalen Pickett stepped up with a standout 29-point performance to help the Nuggets edge out Philadelphia, 125-124, in overtime. So far this season, Nikola Jokic has been the heartbeat of the team, leading Denver in scoring with an impressive average of 29.6 points per game. He’s not just scoring either, Jokic is dominating the glass, pulling down 12.2 rebounds each night, and serves as the team’s top playmaker with 11 assists per game. Jamal Murray has been a reliable number two for Denver, chipping in 25.4 points on average. Even with their star power, the Nuggets have had trouble locking down opponents lately, allowing an average of 122.8 points over their last five games. As they prepare to face the Hawks at home on Friday night, Denver will be looking to tighten up defensively and turn their home court into an advantage, hoping to string together some wins and get their season back on track.
Atlanta Form & Recent Results
Atlanta heads into this game trying to snap a two-game losing streak, having fallen short in three of their last five contests before facing New Orleans on Wednesday. In their recent 118-100 defeat against Toronto, Onyeka Okongwu stood out for the Hawks by dropping 17 points. Jalen Johnson has been Atlanta’s go-to scorer, putting up an impressive 23.7 points per game. Right behind him is Nickeil Alexander-Walker, contributing a solid 20.5 points per game. Johnson is also pulling double duty as the team’s top rebounder, grabbing 10.4 boards on average each night. When it comes to setting up his teammates, Trae Young leads the way with 8.9 assists per game. In their last five games, Atlanta’s defense has been a concern, giving up an average of 118.6 points. Heading into a tough road matchup against Denver, the Hawks know they’ll need to tighten up defensively if they want to come away with a much-needed win.
Key Players
- Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson this season: 23.7 points, 10.4 rebounds per game
- Denver’s Nikola Jokic this season: 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- DEN -1.5; O/U 238.5
Atlanta vs. Denver Picks and Prediction
The Nuggets have gotten off to a strong start, looking sharp and confident in their early games. However, their defensive performance has started to slip in recent matchups, making it harder for them to maintain their winning momentum. On Friday night, Denver will host the Atlanta Hawks, and if they want to come away with a victory in front of their home crowd, tightening up on defense is a must. They’ll need to keep Atlanta’s scorers in check and avoid giving up easy baskets. The Hawks, on the other hand, haven’t been especially solid on defense either, but they’ll be hoping that they can step up and come through with some big stops when it matters most. Final Score Prediction, Denver Nuggets win and cover the spread, 131-121.
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