The Nets are on the road to face the Atlanta Hawks, with both team’s playing their first-game of the season. Tip-off for this season-opener, is set for 7:30 at State Farm Arena.
Nets vs Hawks
The Nets Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win
Brooklyn finished last season with a 32-50 record, placing 11th in the Eastern Conference. They were 24-28 in conference play and 5-11 in divisional games, finishing 4th in the Atlantic. Heading into this season, we have the Nets ranked 27th in our power rankings, with an 11.2% chance of making the playoffs.
The Nets were 20-21 at home last season, with a +1.3 average scoring margin, but struggled on the road, going 12-29 with a -7.0 margin. Against the spread, they were 27-55, and they went 18-8 straight-up when favored. Their games averaged 223.6 points, and they had a 40-42 over/under record.
The Hawks Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win
The Hawks enter this season ranked 21st in our power rankings, with a 37.5% chance of making the playoffs and an 8.6% chance of winning the Southeast Division. Last season, they finished 36-46, placing 3rd in their division and 10th in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta was 21-20 at home but struggled on the road, going 15-26.
Against the spread, the Hawks were 27-55, with a 15-26 mark at home and a 12-29 record on the road. They were favored in 42 games, finishing 24-18 straight-up but just 15-27 ATS. Their games averaged 238.8 points, with an O/U record of 46-36.
Nets Offense Breakdown
Brooklyn enters the season ranked 25th in our offensive power rankings after finishing last season with 110.4 points per game, placing 25th in the league. They were 24th in possessions per game (96.7) and 16th in field goal attempts per game (89.1), but they struggled with efficiency, ranking 28th in field goal percentage (45.6%). The Nets were 9th in both three-pointers made (13.3) and attempted (36.7) per game, shooting 36.2% from beyond the arc (19th). They also ranked 7th in offensive rebounds per game (11.4).
Cam Thomas is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 24th in our league-wide projections. He was Brooklyn’s leading scorer last season, averaging 22.5 points per game. Dennis Schröder, who averaged 14 points and 6.1 assists per game last season, is projected to be 4th on the team in scoring. Bojan Bogdanovic is out for the season opener but is projected to be 2nd in scoring when he returns. Cameron Johnson is projected to lead the team in three-pointers made, ranking 31st in our league-wide projections.
Hawks Offense Breakdown
We have the Hawks ranked 11th in our preseason offensive power rankings after finishing last season 5th in points per game (118.3). Atlanta was 5th in possessions per game (100.2) and 2nd in field goal attempts per game (92.5), but they were 20th in field goal percentage (46.5%). They were 7th in both three-point attempts (37.7) and free throw attempts (23.2) per game, ranking 17th in three-point percentage (36.4%) and 8th in free throw percentage (79.7%).
Trae Young is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 13th in our league-wide projections. Bogdan Bogdanovic is projected to lead the team in three-pointers made, ranking 11th in the league. Jalen Johnson, De’Andre Hunter, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher round out our top 5 projected scorers for the Hawks.
Nets Team Defense
Brooklyn enters the season ranked 22nd in our defensive power rankings after allowing 113.3 points per game last year, placing them 15th in the NBA. Opponents shot 47.1% from the field against them, and they struggled to defend the three-point line, allowing 37% shooting, which ranked 21st in the league. Inside the arc, however, they were much stronger, holding opponents to 53.8% shooting, good for 7th in the NBA.
Brooklyn ranked 12th in blocked shots last season, and center Nicolas Claxton is one of the league’s top shot-blockers. They finished 20th in defensive rebounding, and will be without Bojan Bogdanovic, who is one of their better rebounders. Ben Simmons and Cameron Johnson are expected to help on the boards, but Bogdanovic’s absence could be felt.
Hawks Team Defense
Brooklyn enters the season ranked 22nd in our defensive power rankings after allowing 113.3 points per game last year, placing them 15th in the NBA. They also held opponents to 47.1% shooting, ranking 15th in field-goal percentage defense. Inside the arc, the Nets were more effective, limiting teams to 53.8% shooting, which ranked 7th in the league. However, they struggled against the three, allowing 37.0%, placing them 21st in three-point defense.
Nicolas Claxton is expected to anchor the defense, providing rebounding and shot-blocking. The Nets ranked 12th in blocked shots last year, but they were 20th in defensive rebounding. Ben Simmons is also a strong rebounder, but Brooklyn will be without Bojan Bogdanovic, one of their better rebounders. The Nets averaged 6.8 steals per game last season, ranking 28th in the NBA.
Nets vs Hawks Trends
- Although Brooklyn has a straight up record of 2-8 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 3-7. The team averaged 104 points per game in these games.
- Through their last ten home contests, the Hawks offense has averaged 110 points per game while allowing an average of 123. Atlanta posted an overall record of 2-8 while going 3-7 ATS.
- Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Brooklyn has an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 2-8 straight up.
- In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Hawks have a straight up record of 3-2, while going 2-3 against the spread.
Nets vs Hawks Prediction
The Hawks is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 134-108. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Hawks at -7.5.
As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 221.5, and our model projects the Nets and Hawks to reach a combined total of 242 points. Our bet is on taking the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:October 23, 2024 Hawks, Nets