Jan. 29, 2026, 11:01 a.m. ET

The Houston Rockets (28-17) and Atlanta Hawks (24-25) meet Thursday. Tip-off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Rockets swept 2-0

Houston was handed a 111-99 loss by the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday while failing to cover as a 2.5-point home favorite as the Under (220.5) hit. G Amen Thompson and F Kevin Durant combined for 49 points, but Houston’s bench was outscored 38-14 in the loss. The Spurs dominated 72-48 in the paint while also holding the Rockets to an abysmal 13 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday.

Atlanta picked up a 117-106 win over the Boston Celtics Wednesday to cover as a 5-point road underdog with the Under (232.5) cashing. G Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 21 points while F Jalen Johnson added 19 points and 14 boards. The Hawks have won 4 straight and have held their opponents under 110 points in 2 of those wins, also scoring at least 120 in 2 of those wins.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Rockets at Hawks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Rockets -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Hawks +140 (bet $100 to win $140)Against the spread (ATS): Rockets -3.5 (-110) | Hawks +3.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Rockets at Hawks key injuries

Rockets

(Not yet submitted — below was for Wednesday’s game)

C Steven Adams (ankle) outG Fred VanVleet (knee) out

Hawks

(Not yet submitted — below was for Wednesday’s game)

C Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles)F Zaccharie Risacher (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Rockets at Hawks picks and predictionsPrediction

Rockets 111, Hawks 108

PASS.

In spite of Atlanta’s current streak, the Rockets are still the much better team and will have no problem winning here as -170 favorites. However, they are favored just slightly to heavily to be worth the risk of backing on the ML, so pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.

LEAN HAWKS +3.5 (-110).

Atlanta has covered the spread in 4 straight games while the Rockets sit at just 1-3 ATS in their last 4 outings. The Rockets also sit at just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games and 21-24 ATS this season, meanwhile the Hawks are 6-4 and 25-24 over those same spans. Finally, the Hawks have covered ATS in 8 of their last 10 matchups against Houston, including covering in each of the last 4 matchups.

This is a lean because the Rockets could have a lot of success defensively and on the glass in this matchup, especially with C Onyeka Okongwu likely out after suffering a jaw injury Wednesday.

BET UNDER 224.5 (-110).

The Under has hit in 8 of Houston’s last 10 games and is 3-0 in its last 3 outings. The Under is also 25-20 for the Rockets this season. For Atlanta, the Under 2-1 in their last 3 games. The Under has also hit in all of the last 3 matchups between these squads in Atlanta.

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