Hornets vs Hawks Picks and Prediction – 10/25/2024

State Farm Arena will play host to a Friday night NBA clash between the Charlotte Hornets and the Atlanta Hawks. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Hornets ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency last year and turned to Boston assistant Charles Lee to get things turned around. In Lee’s head coaching debut, Charlotte outscored Houston by nine points in the fourth quarter to escape with a 110-105 road victory. 

Charlotte G LaMelo Ball led all scorers with 34 points (10-20 FG) to go along with 11 assists and eight rebounds. Tre Mann contributed 24 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Hornets, who connected on 15-for-39 from the three-point line. 

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 need to build a respectable defensive unit around undersized G Trae Young. On Wednesday, Atlanta made the plays down the stretch to earn a 120-116 home victory versus Brooklyn. 

Trae Young led five Atlanta players in double figures with 30 points (14-16 FT) and 12 assists. Onyeka Okongwu scored 28 points on 11-for-12 shooting in 28 minutes off the bench. Jalen Johnson added 11 points and ten rebounds for the Hawks, who shot 49 percent from the field. 

Charlotte F Brandon Miller left Wednesday’s victory with left hip soreness and is listed as day-to-day. These two teams looked good offensively on opening night and the Hawks really looked to push the tempo. Take the over. Final Score Prediction, Atlanta Hawks win 122-117.