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NBA Action is back! The Atlanta Hawks begin their campaign by facing the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, October 19th, at the State Farm Arena. Both teams have made sizable changes to their respective rosters and will look to begin their regular season campaigns in style.
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The Atlanta Hawks secured a playoff spot for themselves last season. They finished eighth in the East, thanks to another All-Star caliber season by main-man Trae Young. "Ice-Trae" averaged 28-4-10 last season with a phenomenal FT% of 90. However, they didn’t make it far in the playoffs, losing 4-1 against the top-seeded Miami Heat. Over the 2022-23 off-season, they have made a few big roster changes; the biggest of which was the bumper trade for Dejounte Murray. The Atlanta outfit traded Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round picks for the former Spurs guard. His signing makes the Hawks’ backcourt one of the best in the entire NBA. His defensive prowess, coupled with Young’s incredible offensive output, has the prospect of taking the Hawks very far.
The Rockets were statistically the worst team in the NBA last season, going 20-62 and finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference. They are, however, building a very formidable young team at the moment, with rookie signing Jabari Smith Jr. being touted as the next big thing. Their star man from last season was Jalen Green. He averaged 17-3-3 in his rookie season and is expected to grow his output even further. The Rockets haven’t made the playoffs since James Harden’s departure and expect to build their squad back up to that level very soon. With the likes of Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr. and Alperen Sengun all being given the mantle to play regularly and perform, the Rockets do indeed have a bright future ahead.
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Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks Match Details.
Fixture: Houston Rockets @ Atlanta Hawks
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 19, 7:30 PM ET
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks Betting Odds:
Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks Best Pick:
You can’t go wrong with picking Trae Young as the main prop. He has been an absolute sensation for the Hawks the past couple of seasons. Now with plenty of big-game experience and a sizably better squad, he looks ready to lead his side to glory. He averaged 28-4-10 last season with an incredible 3 PM and FT efficiency. In this game, he is expected to perform in a similar manner.
Trae Young; Points: Over 28 (-106)
Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks Final Prediction:
After last season’s abysmal showing, not much can be made out of this Rockets side, who on paper are much inferior to the Hawks. New arrival Dejounte Murray is expected to make an instant impact on their backcourt and could end the game before it even begins. As far as season openers go, everything favors the Hawks' better squad depth, a better overall campaign last time out, and home advantage on the opening day.
Atlanta Hawks: -9 (-110)
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