NBA Picks: Trail Blazers vs. Hawks NBA Odds – November 16, 2009: The Southeast Division leading Atlanta Hawks have started the season red-hot, as they currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference. Tonight, this team will really be tested, as one of the best young Western Conference teams comes to town.
According to NBA Picks experts at SPORTSBETTING.COM, the visiting (8-3) Portland Trail Blazers [+3½] have been listed as the sports betting odds underdog in their inter-conference battle with the (8-2) Atlanta Hawks 
[-3½] tonight. This NBA Picks game’s opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM ET (4 PM PT) and it’ll be broadcasted live on CSN-POR and/or FSS-ATL.
For the Blazers, they come into tonight’s game leading the way in the Northwest Division, ½ game head of the (7-3) Denver Nuggets. Portland enters this contest on a 6-game win streak and winners of 7 of their last 10. The last time they lost was against these same Hawks almost two weeks ago at home, 91-97.
The Blazers have improved significantly, especially on the defense end. In the most recent win, Portland held the Bobcats to 36% shooting on its way to an 80-74 victory. “We made plays,” Portland head coach Nate McMillan said. “We got stops when we needed to. We're scoring when we need to. We're finding ways to win.”
The Hawks also come in with a win streak of their own, winning 4 in a row and 8 of their last 10. Atlanta is currently perfect when playing at home, posting a 4-0 record. By far their biggest improvement from last year has been their interior play, which has allowed them to blow teams out in the early going.
“They're growing up,” Hawks head coach Mike Woodson said. “We have size this year. With Zaza (Pachulia) and Joe (Smith) coming off the bench, we have a lot of size. We're not scarce this year for big guys.” The OVER/UNDER for this NBA Picks: Trail Blazers vs Hawks NBA Odds – November 16, 2009 game has been set at a combined total of 187½ points scored.
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