The Hawks and the Nets picked two very different directions this offseason. Atlanta added new talent and depth, hoping to take advantage of a weakened Eastern Conference and contend for the title. Meanwhile, Brooklyn is flying the other direction; it traded its top player, Cameron Johnson, while adding a whopping five new rookies in this past draft. The tank is on in Brooklyn, and it’s going to make for some entertaining hoops.
The Hawks are 8.5-point road favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. They’re priced at -360 on the moneyline, while the Nets are +285 home underdogs. The total for this game is set at 238.5 points. Let’s get into my preview, prediction and pick for this Hawks vs. Nets game.
Hawks vs. Nets prediction, preview
Atlanta isn’t off to the ideal start. It’s lost three of its first four, and despite the offseason boost to the defense, it is still not stopping anyone. The Hawks have a 121 defensive rating per Cleaning the Glass, which is 27th in the Association. Not even Trae Young can create enough offense to keep up with that.
Injuries have certainly played a role. Kristaps Porzingis, dealing with his newfound POTS diagnosis, has missed two games. Zaccharie Risacher has missed two as well, and Jalen Johnson has been banged up. I’m reserving judgment on these Hawks until they are entirely together.
However, I’m comfortable passing judgment on the Nets. The 0-4 Nets have a 132 defensive rating, which would be the worst mark in NBA history, and the worst net rating in the league by a solid margin. It’s not an accident; this was their plan.
Hawks vs. Nets pick, best bet
This line feels very fair for the Hawks. Brooklyn is very bad, but Atlanta isn’t exactly taking care of business to start the year. One thing is for sure: a lot of points are on the menu. Even with this high total, I’m banking on the over.
