Hawks vs Nets: Game Preview, Betting Odds, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups For Tonight's Game

In their most recent game, the Atlanta Hawks lost one of their biggest matchups of the year in a 119-112 game that never felt particularly close. Outside of the first three minutes, the Magic never trailed and torched the Hawks from deep, shooting 41% from beyond the arc despite being one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league.

With their loss, the Hawks have now lost the tiebreaker against Orlando if it comes to that in the standings. It further reduces their odds of climbing into the No. 7 position in the play-in tournament. There are just three games left in the regular season, including another matchup with Orlando on Sunday that may ultimately mean nothing. However, the Hawks need to treat every game like a must-win opportunity.

On paper, tonight's game against the Brooklyn Nets is a prime opportunity to get an easy win. However, the Nets have played the Hawks well this year. Both games have been decided by under 10 points and the Hawks actually lost their most recent matchup, 122-114, against Brooklyn in one of the more surprising upsets of the year. It was one of Atlanta's worst games and they cannot afford to have a repeat tonight. Brooklyn is poised to have a top-five pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft and there's no excuse for losing to a team that has essentially nothing to play for.

Game Preview

Coming into tonight's game, the Hawks are 5th in the NBA in PPG, 14th in FG%, 15th in 3PA, 20th in 3P%, 3rd in FTA, 26th in turnovers, and 14th in rebounding. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 16th in points per 100 possessions, 16th in effective field goal percentage, 22nd in turnover percentage, 12th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 9th in free throw rate.

Currently, the Hawks rank 27th in PPG allowed, 29th in field goal percentage allowed, 15th in three-point attempts allowed, and 28th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 19th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 29th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

The Nets are looking for a new primary option in the 2025 NBA Draft for a reason. They're 29th in points per game, 29th in FG%, 8th in 3PA, 25th in 3P%, 25th in FTA, 23rd in turnovers, and 29th in rebounding. Per Cleaning the Glass, Brooklyn is 28th in points per 100 possessions, 27th in effective field goal percentage, 29th in turnover percentage, 15th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 18th in free throw rate.

The Nets' defense is surprisingly better. They are 10th in PPG allowed, 27th in field goal percentage allowed, 5th in three-point attempts allowed, and 15th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Brooklyn is 21st in points allowed per 100 possessions and 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Although their offense isn't especially strong, Drew Timme has come on as of late for the Nets. The rookie has played six games for the Nets and he's averaged 12.3 points and six rebounds on 58.8 TS%. Timme isn't much of a floor-spacer, but he has given the Nets good minutes in the absence of Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe. Maxwell Lewis has been a nice two-way option for the team as he is a highly athletic defender who can get hot from deep.

Onyeka Okongwu was excellent for the Hawks against the Magic. After accumulating a combined 20 points and 14 rebounds on 7-15 shooting in his previous two games against a massive Orlando lineup, the young center shattered expectations with a 30 point, 14 rebound performance that kept the Hawks in the game. The exciting thing is how well his three-point shot was falling as he went 4-7 from deep. He'll have a somewhat difficult matchup tonight against Nic Claxton. Even though Claxton is having a down season, he's still a solid defender who can limit Okongwu in the paint and on the perimeter.

Outside of Trae Young and Okongwu, the rest of Atlanta's starting lineup could use this game to get right. Young had 28 points and 10 assists, but the rest of Atlanta's starters had 29 points combined. That type of output just isn't going to be good enough considering how awful the Hawks defense is right now. Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels are going to be very important pieces for the Hawks in the play-in and beyond. Although they finished with solid efficiency and the Magic have a good defense, neither had standout games on offense or defense. A Nets team that struggles on both ends provides an excellent opportunity for them to return to their usual form.

Injury Report

Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis) is probable while Clint Capela and Larry Nance remain out.

For Brooklyn, Day'Ron Sharpe, Cam Johnson, D'Angelo Russell, Cam Thomas and Noah Clowney are all out.

Odds

According to Fanduel Sportsbook, the Hawks are 13.5 point favorites against the Hawks tonight and the total is set at 232.5.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Projected starting lineups

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G - Dyson Daniels

F - Zaccharie Risacher

F - Mouhamed Gueye

C - Onyeka Okongwu

Nets

G - Reece Beekman

G - Jalen Wilson

F - Ziare Williams

F - Trendon Watford

C - Nicolas Claxton

Additional Links

Atlanta Hawks vs Brooklyn Nets: Official Injury Report For Tomorrow's Game

2025 NBA Mock Draft: Post-March Madness Mock Sees Hawks Take Pair of High Upside Guards

Three Biggest Takeaways From Atlanta's 119-112 Loss to Orlando