The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks squared off at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night, January 3, 2026, in a matchup that had NBA fans buzzing across North America. Both teams entered the contest with something to prove—the Raptors, eager to bounce back from a narrow home defeat, and the Hawks, riding high after a convincing road win in New York just the previous night. With tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET and the game broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Southeast and TSN, anticipation was sky-high in Toronto.
Coming into this Eastern Conference showdown, the Hawks (17-19) were feeling the effects of a grueling schedule, having just bested the Knicks 111-99 in Madison Square Garden. Jalen Johnson was the star of that outing, notching a triple-double with 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu each poured in 23 points. Okongwu also added three steals, showing his two-way prowess. However, Atlanta was missing its floor general, Trae Young, who sat out his third consecutive game due to a bruised quad. As of game time, Young remained day-to-day—a significant absence for a Hawks squad still searching for stability.
The Raptors (20-15), meanwhile, were well-rested, having last played on Wednesday in a heartbreaking 106-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets. That contest ended in dramatic fashion: Toronto thought it had forced overtime, but Brandon Ingram’s three-pointer was overturned after video review revealed he didn't get the shot off in time. Ingram led all scorers with 30 points, while Scottie Barnes delivered an all-around gem, tallying 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double. Immanuel Quickley chipped in 22 points, highlighting the Raptors’ offensive depth.
Toronto had already taken the first two meetings in the season series, both in Atlanta, with decisive victories—138-118 and 109-97. The Raptors’ recent form, especially with RJ Barrett back in the lineup after a 15-game absence, gave them a palpable sense of optimism. Barrett had been averaging 18.8 points per game since his return, providing a much-needed scoring punch alongside Barnes and Ingram. The team’s offense, averaging 122 points per game with Barrett active, looked revitalized.
On the injury front, the Hawks were not only without Young but also missing Luke Kennard (back), while the Raptors were forced to play without center Jakob Poeltl, who was sidelined with a back injury. This opened the door for rookie Collin Murray-Boyles to step up; he had been averaging 11.0 rebounds per game over the past three contests, making his presence felt on the glass. As noted in pre-game analysis, "Collin Murray-Boyles has seen his playing time surge with center Jakob Poeltl sidelined. The rookie forward has grabbed 9+ boards in three straight games and is averaging 11.0 rpg over that span."
Betting lines reflected the Raptors’ edge: they were favored by -3.5 to -4.5 points, with moneyline odds at -190, and the over/under set around 230.5 points. The Hawks, despite covering the spread in four straight games, faced a tough challenge on the second night of a back-to-back. Pre-game predictions leaned toward Toronto, with experts noting, "The Raptors are a different team with Barrett on the court. He's averaging 18.8 points per game and provides a much-needed scoring option alongside Barnes."
Defensively, Toronto had an advantage, ranking third in the NBA in defensive rating and 26th in pace since November. They had a 19-11 record over their last 30 games, showing consistency and resilience. Atlanta, meanwhile, had struggled to contain opponents, giving up at least 126 points in eight of their previous eleven contests. Despite Jalen Johnson’s impressive averages of 23.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, he was expected to face a stiff test against Toronto’s defense. As one analyst put it, "Jalen Johnson is averaging 23.8 points and 8.4 assists per game. That said, he'll have a tough time matching his usual production against Toronto, which is third in the NBA in defensive rating."
The Raptors’ recent loss to Denver was a stinger, but their performance was hardly lackluster. Scottie Barnes’ triple-double and Quickley’s 22 points underscored the team’s depth and adaptability. With Barrett rounding into form and Ingram continuing to produce at a high level (22.1 points per game on the season), Toronto’s offense appeared poised for a breakout.
For the Hawks, the absence of Trae Young was a glaring concern. Young, who averages 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game, is the engine of Atlanta’s offense. In his absence, the team had relied on Johnson and Alexander-Walker, with the latter averaging 20.4 points per game. Onyeka Okongwu’s recent 23-point, 9-rebound performance against New York showed he could shoulder a larger load, but the challenge of facing Toronto’s front line was considerable.
Jakob Poeltl’s absence for the Raptors was mitigated by the emergence of Murray-Boyles, who not only rebounded at a high rate but also provided energy and hustle plays. However, the Raptors’ depth was further highlighted by Ochai Agbaji’s reduced role, as Barrett’s return pushed him further down the rotation. "Ochai Agbaji will see his playing time and usage plummet with Barrett back in the lineup," one report observed, noting that Agbaji had played just 11 minutes and scored two points against Denver.
Heading into the game, the Raptors led the season series 2-0 and boasted a strong recent record against Atlanta, going 5-2 straight up and 6-1 against the spread in their last seven meetings. The odds and expert analysis both pointed to Toronto as the favorite, but with the Hawks’ recent form and ability to cover spreads, nothing was guaranteed. As the teams took the floor, fans wondered: Could the Hawks overcome fatigue and absences to pull off another upset, or would the well-rested Raptors continue their dominance at home?
With the action underway at Scotiabank Arena, all eyes were on the Raptors’ ability to capitalize on their rest advantage and depth, while the Hawks hoped their recent momentum and gritty play would be enough to keep the contest close. As the season series heated up, basketball fans across the league eagerly awaited the outcome of this compelling Eastern Conference battle.
As of press time, the game was still unfolding, with both teams battling for a crucial midseason win. The Raptors’ mix of defensive tenacity and offensive firepower, bolstered by Barrett’s return, made them a tough out, but the Hawks’ resilience and recent track record against the spread suggested they wouldn’t go down without a fight. Stay tuned—this one’s far from over!