Hawks vs. 76ers: Game 2 betting odds, preview, and pick

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks shocked the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1. Can they take full control of the series on Tuesday?

We have the betting odds and preview you need before Game 2 tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Young is quieting the critics

Nearly everyone who didn't follow the Hawks on a daily basis picked the New York Knicks in the first round, but Atlanta only required five games to oust them. Then everyone assumed the Sixers would run away with this series as long as Joel Embiid played. Well, he played, and the Hawks still won.

Trae Young has been the catalyst in shushing these critics as well as opposing fans. He is averaging 30.2 points and 9.8 assists per game and shooting 44.8% from the field. Young has been even better on the road. In his four road games in these playoffs, he is averaging 33.3 points and 9.0 assists per game, and is shooting 45.7% from the field.

Embiid appears to be healthy

After Embiid’s scary knee injury in Game 4 against the Washington Wizards, it appeared as though the Sixers might have to try to advance without him. He made a surprising start in Game 1 against the Hawks and finished with an impressive stat line.

Embiid put up 39 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and shot 57.1% from the field in 38 minutes. That has to be a positive sign for the 76ers despite their loss. Now he just needs some help from his teammates.

The bench for the 76ers was atrocious in Game 1. They combined for only 23 points on 9-22 shooting. They also had a combined +/- of -67. Meanwhile, the starters combined for 101 points on 36-60 shooting. Their combined +/- was +47. The bench will need to step it up in Game 2.

Do or die for Philly?

It's vital for Philadelphia to not fall down 0-2 at home in this series. In the history of the NBA playoffs, a team has gone down 0-2 in the series 430 times. Only 28 times has the team down 0-2 come back to win the series.

The Sixers will need to make some adjustments from Game 1, and there are not many coaches better at that than Doc Rivers. The Sixers actually beat the Hawks 70-54 in the second half of Game 1. Some of that was the Hawks playing with a huge lead and slowing things down offensively, but the Sixers' offense did not slow down with them.

Game 2 will likely be another showcase for Young and Embiid. However, the real story will be if the Sixers' bench can turn things around and not give the Hawks such a big advantage while the stars are resting.

I believe the Sixers will adjust their lineups, and will avoid falling into a deep hole in Game 2. I also believe that the Hawks and Young will continue to fire on all cylinders offensively. Give me the Sixers and the Over.

NBA Pick: 76ers -5, Over 223