Atlanta Hawks Odds - Hawks still growing, still not good enough
When examining the Atlanta Hawks odds, it’s easy to be encouraged by what they have done over the last four or five seasons. Online betting cappers know that the team has had a lot of consistency; the young roster has grown up together and they have shown incremental growth each year. Again the roster has improved, but this team still isn’t good enough to do much.
Atlanta Hawks odds: +5500 to win NBA Championship
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Atlanta Hawks odds maker breakdown: STARTING FIVE
NBA betting fans will recognize the Hawks’ starting five, which is the same from last year. Mike Bibby was the lone question mark, but the team signed the valuable point guard to a three-year contract in the offseason. Bibby will start alongside with Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford. This is a good unit altogether, but unless Horford and Smith mature as premier inside scorers, this team won’t look a whole lot different from last year.
Atlanta Hawks odds maker breakdown: BENCH
One aspect that the Hawks have improved upon is their depth. The team added Jamal Crawford, who should add a nice scoring boost off the bench. The Hawks also added Joe Smith, adding a nice veteran presence in the front court. Holdovers Mo Evans and Zaza Pachulia fill are good veteran contributors.
Atlanta Hawks odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
The Hawks offense is decent, but it’s not on the same level of Cleveland, Boston or Orlando, which is the biggest hurdle for this team. The backcourt is decent with Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford and Marvin Williams, but Bibby is past his prime and isn’t always reliable. For the Hawks to take the next step in the front court, they need to get more consistent play from Horford and Smith, which may or may not happen.
Atlanta Hawks odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
The Hawks defense is still an aspect where this team lags behind a little bit. Bibby has lost a step and has struggled on the defensive side of the floor, and considering he has to guard some good point guards, that’s a problem. In the front court, the Hawks are undersized with Horford and Smith, and defensively, they just aren’t a match for players like Kevin Garnett or Dwight Howard.
Atlanta Hawks odds maker breakdown: COACHING
The Hawks are steady in this spot with Mike Woodson, and while the team likes him, he doesn’t match wits well with the better coaches in the league.
Atlanta Hawks odds maker breakdown: SEASON OUTLOOK
The sportsbook odds makers don’t put a whole lot of faith in the Hawks simply because they just aren’t good enough. There is consistency, there is talent, there is a good foundation, but there just isn’t enough here to suggest that the Hawks can knock off the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers.
For more of the best sports betting articles on the internet and previews of all 30 NBA teams, check back with the betonline.com Betting Edge daily. Craig Parsons is betonline.com's basketball expert.
