Fri Jan 16 02:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Hawks Poised to End Losing Streak Against Trail Blazers Amid Injury Concerns

The Story: The Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers are set to clash at the Moda Center in Portland on Thursday, January 16, 2026. The Hawks, coming off a blowout loss to the Lakers, aim to break their losing streak against the Trail Blazers, who are grappling with key player absences. Sports betting odds favor the Hawks, but analysts caution against overconfidence, citing Portland’s strong Under trend and Atlanta’s historical struggles in Portland.

Key Points:

  • The Hawks (20-22) face the Trail Blazers (19-22) in Portland on January 16, 2026.
  • Portland won the 2024-25 season series 2-0.
  • The Hawks lost to the Lakers 141-116 on Tuesday, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 26 points and CJ McCollum adding 25.
  • The Trail Blazers lost to the Warriors 119-97 on Tuesday, with Shaedon Sharpe scoring 19 points.
  • Deni Avdija is out for the Trail Blazers due to a back injury, and Jerami Grant is probable after a 14-game layoff (Achilles).
  • BetMGM Sportsbook favors the Hawks (-170) to win, with a point spread of -3.5.
  • The Over/Under is set at 231.5 points.
  • The Hawks haven’t won in Portland since February 13, 2017.
  • A previous article confirms CJ McCollum will be playing with the Atlanta Hawks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hawks have an opportunity to break their losing streak against the Trail Blazers, but must overcome their historical struggles in Portland.
  • Injuries and player absences, particularly Avdija’s absence for Portland, significantly impact the game’s dynamics and betting odds.
  • Recent trends suggest a potential for a low-scoring game, given Portland’s consistent Under results.
  • CJ McCollum playing against his former team adds an intriguing narrative to the game.
  • Betting on this game carries risk, especially given the unpredictable nature of NBA outcomes and fluctuating player availability.

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