The season is right around the corner and the Atlanta Hawks has opened with +15000 odds for the 2020-21 NBA Championship. The experts here at SportsTips have taken the time to review every single NBA team and offer up their opinion on how each team is expected to perform in the 2020-21 season, meaning you can place your best NBA bets with confidence.
So, without further ado, have a read on below at all our NBA betting stats and information on the Atlanta Hawks:
Atlanta Hawks’ 2019-20 Season Review
The Hawks had another lackluster season in 2019-20, managing just a 20-47 record before COVID-19 ended their season in early March. Things didn’t start well with John Collins being suspended for 25 games, which ended up being over 35% of their season.
This left Trae Young to lead the team and Young put up some monster numbers. At the end of the regular season, Young, who played in his first All Star Game in 2020, averaged 29.6 points (fourth in the league), 9.3 assists (second) and 4.8 turnovers (first).
Atlanta had always lacked in the big man department, with Collins more of a power forward than centre, so the front office traded for Clint Capela. Coming from Houston with a heel injury, Capela didn’t play a game for the Hawks last season, and could be the key to maximising both Young’s and Collins’ potential.
The Hawks finished in the bottom five in both offensive and defensive ratings and were just 29-36-2 when betting against the spread, third worst in the league. Atlanta was deplorable on the road, finishing 10-23 against the spread when travelling – worst in the league.
Having a hot hand like Trae Young and a terrible defense is a recipe for high scoring affairs, with the Hawks having a 39-27-1 record in totals markets, seventh best in the league.
Atlanta Hawks’ Offseason Changes
The Atlanta Hawks went into the 2020 NBA Draft with picks 6 and 50. They selected USC center Onyeka Okongwu with the sixth overall pick and LSU guard Skylar Mays with pick 50.
Players In: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, Danilo Gallinari, Solomon Hill, Nathan Knight, Skylar Mays, Onyeka Okongwu, Rajon Rondo, Tony Snell
Players Out: DeAndre’ Bembry, Charlie Brown, Vince Carter, Dewayne Dedmon, Treveon Graham, Damian Jones, Skal Labissiere, Jeff Teague
Atlanta Hawks’ 2020-21 Season Preview
After claiming All-Rookie honours in year one and All-Star honours in year two, the next step that Trae Young takes in his already impressive NBA career will be the driving force in the Hawks development for the 2020-21 season.
Tonight’s starters vs. the Magic:
1️⃣ » @TheTraeYoung
2️⃣ » @LeaderOfHorde
3️⃣ » @DreHunter
4️⃣ » @jcollins20_
5️⃣ » @CapelaClint pic.twitter.com/umxqN8nQYL— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 11, 2020
Young put up 29.6 points (fourth most in the league) and 9.3 assists (second most in the league) over 60 games in his sophomore year as the Hawks managed to win just 20 games in the Covid-19 shortened season.
With the additions of Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo, Kris Dunn and Onyeka Okongwu (Pick #6 in the NBA draft), the Hawks have bolstered their roster with young talent, offensive options and veteran experience ahead of the 2020-21 season.
After finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference last season, the Hawks are currently a +10000 outsider to win the 2020-21 championship. Although championship aspirations may be far fetched, Atlanta are currently -125 to return to the playoffs in the Eastern conference, spearheaded by their All-Star point guard Trae Young.
Will the Atlanta Hawks Make the Playoffs?
Given that two of the eight playoff teams in the Eastern Conference qualified with below .500 records last season, there is certainly a chance that the Hawks are capable of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17.
Of the teams that did not qualify, Atlanta have been the most active over the offseason, acquiring players that will give them the best chance to fill one of the bottom 2-3 playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, currently at -125 to do so.
Atlanta Hawks’ Key Games
December 26: @ Memphis Grizzlies: Young & Collins vs Ja Morant and Jarren Jackson Jr
January 6: vs Charlotte Hornets: Divisional opponents who have undergone transformational offseasons
January 29: @ Washington Wizards: Atlanta and Washington both looking to return to the playoffs in 2021
February 1: vs Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo vs former team and reigning NBA champions
February 3: vs Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic vs Trae Young
February 28: @ Miami Heat: Matchup against the 2019-20 Southeast Division winners
March 3: @ Orlando Magic: Atlanta in the hunt for Orlando’s 2020 playoff spot
Atlanta Hawks’ Betting Summary
Given that the Hawks are still rebuilding their roster, it’s safe to say that Atlanta (+10000) are not going to take out the 2020-21 NBA Championship or make it out of the Eastern Conference (+5000). However, with the roster changes that Atlanta has made, there’s good value for the Hawks to make the playoffs at -125.
Given that Atlanta have the eighth best odds to win the East at +5000, bookmakers like the Hawks to make the playoffs in the eight seed at the conclusion of the regular season. Furthermore, Atlanta currently have a total regular season wins line of 30.5 for the season.
Despite the season being shortened to 72 games, the Hawks should pass 31 wins to find themselves in contention for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Hawks to make the playoffs (-125) with Over 30.5 wins (-110) are the best bets for Atlanta this season.
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of PointsBet.
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