Atlanta Hawks 2009-2010 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Atlanta Hawks 2008-2009 NBA Record: 47-35, 2nd in Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks 2008-2009 ATS (Against The Spread): 43-37-2

Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends & Betting Angles:

• 2-8 ATS past 10 vs Atlantic Division foes

• 10-3 ATS past 13 at Washington

• 4-13-1 ATS past 18 at home to Washington

• OVER is 9-1 past 10 games as small lave of 2 or less

• UNDER is 11-1 past 12 Dec road games 9-2-1 ATS past 12 March home games

• Played 5 straight OVERs vs Milwaukee

Atlanta Hawks 2009-2010 Preview & Prediction

The Hawks have opened a window of opportunity with a young team that seems to have a lot of players in the prime of their careers.

In luring Crawford as a free agent, the Hawks got an insurance policy at guard, and a player who can help push their perimeter play. Crawford was excited to join the mix of young players here, and willing to defer to the established team leaders. It was the kind of talk that brought to mind things said in Los Angeles or Boston or the other contenders that annually load up on new talent.

That said, though, the team’s true personnel needs are inside, where another quality big man could allow Horford to slide down a spot and make all of the front line more effective.

In lieu of that development, though, the Hawks have a player in Johnson and possibly in Smith that can lift them in the crunch time. Add in Bibby’s steady hand at the point, Horford’s work ethic and it’s a solid playoff team.

But are the Hawks ready to swoop in and really challenge Orlando, Cleveland and Boston for Eastern supremacy? And what’s the fallout going to be if they don’t?

Atlanta Hawks Coach: Mike Woodson (6th season)

Atlanta Hawks Returning Players: Centers Al Horford, Randolph Morris, Zaza Pachulia; forwards Josh Smith, Marvin Williams; guards Mike Bibby, Mo Evans, Joe Johnson.

Atlanta Hawks Key Additions: Guard Jamal Crawford (trade from Warriors), center Jason Collins (free agent), forward Joe Smith (free agent), guard Jeff Teague (draft).

Atlanta Hawks Key Subtractions: Guard Speedy Claxton (traded to Warriors), guard Acie Law (traded to Warriors), guard Thomas Gardner (signed with Grizzlies), forward Josh Childress (remaining in Greece), center Solomon Jones (signed with Pacers), guard Ronald Murray (signed with Bobcats).

2009-2010 Atlanta Hawks Point Guards:

These facts are not coincidental: Mike Bibby’s arrival coincides with the Hawks’ ascension to the playoffs the last two years, and Bibby now has a new three-year,
$18 million deal.

Under his steady hand, the Hawks have taken wing shooters like Joe Johnson and Josh Smith assured them of quality looks when they’re open. Bibby’s assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.06 was eighth in the league, and he was also eighth with 167 3-pointers made.

He hit 26 of 48 3-point attempts in the playoffs, just what the team needed to get past Miami in the first round. Oh, and he was 21 of22 at the line in the postseason.

In a great move, Suns gave up little
in Acie Law and Speedy Claxton to pry Crawford loose from Golden State. A career 15.2 points per game scorer, Crawford has eight years under his belt, can play either guard spot and doesn’t seem like he’ll rock the boat if he has to come off the bench.

Rookie Jeff Teague has the tools to be a solid point guard in the future but he didn’t play the position in college. Hawks assistant Larry Drew has taken Teague under his wing.

2009-2010 Atlanta Hawks Off Guards:

Joe Johnson was 13th in the NBA in scoring (21.4), l0th in FGM (620), 12th in 3FGM (149) and third in minutes played (39.5). Still not buying into how good ‘Joe Cool’ is?

Try this stat: Johnson was sixth in the league in points scored in the fourth quarter, behind Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Brandon Roy.

Johnson was a key on the defensive end, too, particularly late in the year. He had a career-high five steals in Game 7 against Miami to key that defensive effort.

Flip Murray was a useful addition last season, scoring 12.2 a night and lending some defense but the addition of Crawford probably means he won’t get a new contract in Atlanta.

Ukranian leaguer Sergiy Gladyr comes in with a reputation as a shooter, but his ballhandling needs work and the Ukranian League isn’t considered a great feeder league for players coming here. Meanwhile, Josh Childress, who bolted for Greece last year as a restricted free agent, decided to stay put, he and the Hawks were unable to work out a sign-and-trade deal.

D-League call-up Thomas Gardner averaged six minutes in 16 games last year.

2009-2010 Atlanta Hawks Small Forwards:

Josh Smith led the team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals in the postseason. He ranked 13rh overall in the NBA in blocks and became the youngest player in NBA history (23 years, 1 day) to reach 800 career swats.

His versatility as a 6-9 wing with perimeter skills allows him to guard four of the five positions on the floor and makes him one of the NBA’s most valued, if under-publicized pieces.

The loss of the nearly-equally versatile Childress was softened by the free agent acquisition of Maurice Evans, who provided some physicality on the perimeter. The Hawks were 18-7 when he was pressed into starring duty.

2009-2010 Atlanta Hawks Power Forwards:

Marvin Williams began a gradual disappearing act last season. After averaging 13.9 points per game during the year, Williams slumped to 7.0 ppg against the Heat in the playoffs and then just 3.0 in the sweep by Cleveland (as he battled a sprained wrist).

Williams, who re-signed in August, will be backed up by D-League call-up Othello Hunter. Not to worry too much – Al Horford and Pachulia figure in this part of the rotation, too.

2009-2010 Atlanta Hawks Centers:

Gutty Al Horford is playing our of position at center. Despite averaging 11.5 points and 9.3 rebounds, he would be better served at power forward where he wouldn’t have to match up with the likes of Dwight Howard and now, Shaquille O’Neal in the bigger, badder Eastern Conference.

Still, Horford hit .525 percent of his shots, 15th best in the league, and he’s a gamer that has been as instrumental to the playoff push the last two years as Johnson, Bibby and Smith.

The re-signing of Pachulia was a must, and the 6-11 Georgian chipped in nearly 20 minutes a night behind Horford and Williams up from.

Randolph Morris is back after appearing in 23 games and going on the inactive list during the Cleveland playoff series.

Atlanta Hawks 2009-2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Atlanta Hawks will finish 2nd in the NBA Southeast Division.

Atlanta Hawks Betting

Atlanta Hawks NBA Championship Odds: +5000

Atlanta Hawks Eastern Conference Odds: +2000

Atlanta Hawks 2008-2009 Betting Stats

Atlanta Hawks Straight Up: 47-35

Atlanta Hawks ATS: 43-37-2

Atlanta Hawks Home ATS: 22-18-1

Atlanta Hawks Away ATS: 21-19-1

Atlanta Hawks Record As Favorite: 34-11

Atlanta Hawks Record As Dog: 13-24

Atlanta Hawks Over/Under: 38-42-2

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