Finally it's here! Opening week in the NBA, which for the Atlanta Hawks means just two games (they only have three over the first 10 days of the NBA season). Nevertheless, basketball is finally back, so let's get right to it.
OPPONENTS
Wednesday: Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are almost a mirror image of the Hawks. Think about it: exciting, fast-developing point guard, versatile frontcourt, plays with pace, exciting to watch. Not to mention both teams' offseasons were identical: keep the starting five and spend money adding depth where needed. Two of Toronto's most important offseason aquisitions actually came in a trade with Atlanta. The Raptors picked up veteran wing man Lou Williams and exciting prospect Lucas Nogueira in a trade the Hawks ultimately made to free up cap room to add depth to their own bench. With both teams seemingly on the rise, this is one of the most underrated season-opening games. The Raptors won both meetings handily in Toronto last season, and it'll no doubt be a challenge for Atlanta with one of the best fan bases in the league rocking the Air Canada Centre on opening night.
Saturday: Indiana Pacers
Details: 7:30 p.m. (ET) | Philips Arena | SportSouth, 92.9 The Game | Get Tickets
The team that ended the Hawks' 2013-14 season makes an early visit to Philips Arena this year. The Pacers have already been bit by the injury bug, as Paul George is lost for the year due to a broken leg and David West's status for this weekend is still unclear after spaining his ankle last week. Indiana also lost Lance Stephenson in free agency over the summer, so this will be a different-looking team than the one we saw in last year's exciting 7-game series. Despite some key losses, the Pacers are still a formitable foe. 7'2" Roy Hibbert is back and has been working all summer to diversify his offensive game. Offseason aquisitions C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey are expected to start on the wings, and both players have the ability to create instant offense for themselves. Frank Vogel is one of the best coaches in the league and will have this team competing for a playoff spot.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Jeff Teague vs. George Hill on Saturday. After Teague dropped 28 points with Hill guarding him in Game 1 last season, Vogel adjusted the matchup and put Paul George on him. Vogel doesn't have the luxury of a first team all defensive player this season, so it'll likely be up to Hill to contain Atlanta's speedy point guard.
IT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN, BUT WE HOPE IT DOES...
Mike Scott will score 17 points in a quarter against the Pacers. Oh, the Game 5 memories.
IT PROBABLY WILL HAPPEN, BUT WE HOPE IT DOESN'T...
The referees will actually call Jeff Teague out of bounds when he steps out of bounds. They didn't in Game 3 last year, and Teague was rewarded with what could have been the best shot of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.
INJURY REPORT
John Jenkins (Blister): This kept him out of the preseason finale but sounded like it was just a day-to-day thing.
INTERESTING...
Many talk about Indiana's struggles at Philips Arena, but the Pacers have actually won five of the past seven games in Atlanta's building.
POWER RANKINGS
Here's where the various sports websites have us in their rankings this week:
FROM THE FANS