All teams early in the season have issues playing in the altitude. That is expected to heighten for the Atlanta Hawks who are in a back to back spot tonight after defeating the Sacramento Kings. Utah is also undefeated at home with a 5-0 ATS mark. Yet, look for the Hawks depth to be on showcase and Nickeil Alexander Walker’s experience in the Western Conference to pay off. Take Atlanta as the slim favorite.

It's been an uplifting road swing for the Hawks, who even minus Trae Young (sidelined at least a few more weeks with knee issues) have won back-to-back at the Clippers and Kings, with the win streak now at three after whipping the Lakers at State Farm last Saturday. Second nights of back-to-backs on the road, however, have proven difficult for teams to navigate in the past, and we wonder if tonight in Salt Lake is when Atlanta (also minus Kristaps Porzingis) starts to have some depth issues. We're only considering Utah at home these days, as the Jazz have more bite at Delta Center, where they put 152 on the Pacers two nights ago behind Lauri Markkanen's latest fireworks display (35 points). Play Jazz

Although this is the second game of a back-to-back set for the Hawks, Jalen Johnson only needed to play 24 minutes in their blowout win over the Kings on Wednesday. Despite his limited minutes, he scored 24 points. While Johnson is expected to play in this game, Kristaps Porzingis has already been ruled out for rest. Johnson could receive added shot attempts against a Jazz team that has the sixth-worst defensive rating in the league, so I’ll ride with his over again.

As long-time SL subscriber rickfuncannonjr1297 -- a Chicago fan so automatically one of my favorites; also obviously a glutton for punishment -- said here not too long ago in our Discord NBA channel: "Has any team been more disrespected by the books then the Jazz this year?" At home, the answer is no. Only the Suns, Warriors and my Bulls (what the heck!!??) are also unbeaten ATS at home. And this is the second of a B2B for Atlanta, so I'd guess one or two guys might sit led by Kristaps Porzingis. Kinda like Joel Embiid (just saying that name is nails on a chalkboard), I think the Unicorn's days of playing both ends are over.