Free Daily NCAAF Lock Pick, Tuesday October 24th: Liberty vs Western Kentucky 7:30pmET
CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW
The NBA season opens up in the Southeast Division when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Charlotte Hornets. Atlanta went 41-41 last season and 36-45-1 ATS, finishing 7th in the East, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Celtics. Charlotte went 27-55 and 37-43-2 ATS, finishing 14th in the East and missing the playoffs. Charlotte took three out of four games last season against Atlanta. The Hawks are currently listed as 3-point road favorites. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 EST from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
The Atlanta Hawks continue to build around point guard Trae Young. The 25-year old point guard has been labeled underrated and overrated throughout his career, but last year's averages of 26.2 PPG and 10.2 APG speak for themselves. Young is the centerpiece of this Atlanta attack, and may be asked to do more after the team traded John Collins to Utah. Utah sent Atlanta a 2nd round pick and Rudy Gay, who the team subsequently cut. Young's production last season was high, but his three point percentage dropped from 38.2% in 2021-2022 down to 33.5% last season.
The Hawks are still hoping their backcourt can take another leap this season. Dejounte Murray made the All-Star Game last season and finished the year with 20.5 PPG, 6.1 APG and 5.3 RPG. Murray has more length and is a better defender than Young, so the Hawks hope their talents can pair together for more success this season. Atlanta has a proven center in Clint Capela, the 6'10 and 256 pound center averaged a double-double last season with 12.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG. He finished fifth in the league in rebounding, and is a defensive presence around the rim. Deandre Hunter will fill the small forward role after starting every game he played last season and averaged 15.4 PPG. Onyeka Okongwu is a 6'9 22-year old and may be asked to take Collins' spot in the starting lineup, unless Atlanta decided to go small and play Hunter at the four with Bogan Bogdanovic stepping into the starting spot.
Atlanta finished last season 9th in the league in tempo according to ESPN's pace factor. They were 3rd in the league in scoring with 118.4 points per game, and their defense ranked 26th in the league by allowing 118.1 points per. Atlanta's top offseason additions were Patty Mills, Wes Matthews and rookie Kobe Bufkin out of Michigan.
Injury Report: No injuries listed.
Free Daily NCAAF Lock Pick, Tuesday October 24th: Liberty vs Western Kentucky 7:30pmET CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW