Nets vs Hawks Picks and Prediction – 10/23/2024

State Farm Arena will play host to a Wednesday night NBA clash between the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Nets failed to reach the playoffs a season ago and are clearly a team in rebuilding mode after dealing G/F Mikal Bridges to rival New York for a slew of draft picks. New head coach Jordi Fernandez plans to bring a fast-paced style of play to a Brooklyn squad that could challenge for the worst record in the NBA.

Brooklyn’s most reliable scoring option is G Cam Thomas, who averaged a career-best 22.5 points per game a season ago. Nic Claxton led the Nets in rebounds (9.9 rpg) and is definitely a piece worth keeping for the future. 

The Atlanta Hawks finished a game above .500 on their home floor last season and have advanced past the first round of the playoffs just once in the last eight years. The Hawks ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency and gave up a shade below 114 points per contest. Atlanta dealt Dejounte Murray to New Orleans during the offseason and continue to try to build a respectable defensive unit around undersized G Trae Young (25.7 ppg). 

The Hawks selected French F Zaccharie Risacher with the number one overall draft pick and his 6-foot-10 wingspan should play well defensively. F Jalen Johnson (16 ppg) is becoming a force on both ends of the floor and could be in consideration for the league’s most improved player. 

Brooklyn will be without Trendon Watford (hamstring), Bojan Bogdanovic (foot), and Day’Ron Sharpe (hamstring) in the season opener. The Nets will have difficulty finding consistent offense and the Hawks will showcase their defensive length on the perimeter. Take Atlanta to win and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Atlanta Hawks win 118-105.