NBA betting: Atlanta Hawks have been historically bad against the spread

The Hawks may not be the worst team in the NBA, but they have been the worst to bet on. 

Atlanta is 7-23 against the spread this season, the worst mark in the league and the worst 30-game ATS start over the last three decades, according to ESPN Stats and Info, via David Payne Purdum. 

They are 3.5 games worse ATS than the lowly Detroit Pistons, who just broke the NBA single-season record with their 27th loss in a row. 

It’s been a disappointing start to the season for the Hawks, to say the least.

Heading into Thursday’s NBA action, they’re sitting at 12-18, tied with the Raptors for the 11th in the Eastern Conference.

If the season ended Thursday, they would play Toronto in the East’s first play-in game.

Before the year, FanDuel Sportsbook pegged Atlanta’s win total at 42.5 and -120 to make the playoffs. 

They’re now down to +205 to make the playoffs with an over/under at 37.5.

Thankfully for them, the bottom of the East has been atrocious, but it’s still going to take a lot of work to make the top eight in the conference. 

The Hawks are a mind-blowing 2-12 ATS as favorites this season, which is the worst in the league among teams with at least five games as a favorite. 

As underdogs, they are just 5-11 ATS, which is better than just the Clippers and Mavericks thus far. 

They have been particularly bad ATS at home, going just 1-11 ahead of the matchup against the Sacramento Kings in Atlanta on Friday. 

With how their season is going, it’s no surprise trade rumors have kicked up around the team. 

Earlier this month, reports named Hawks guard Dejounte Murray as a potential trade target for the Knicks and Lakers.