Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets: Start time, where to watch, betting odds

Can the Hawks defeat Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in Atlanta tonight?

Atlanta is back at home tonight and will be facing the defending champion Denver Nuggets. The Hawks are coming into this game as losers of three in a row and in need of a victory.

Surprisingly, the Nuggets have also lost three in a row and Nikola Jokic has been inefficient from the field. Jokic is the best player in the NBA and also one of the most efficient. The Hawks have one of the worst defenses in the NBA and this could be the night that Jokic returns to form. 

This is the first matchup of the year between these two teams and both teams need the win for different reasons. The Nuggets are looking to get back to looking like an unbeatable juggernaut on their quest to a repeat, while the Hawks are looking for some positive momentum. This team has been struggling since Jalen Johnson went down with an injury and he is not going to be back for a few more weeks. It is going to be a challenge for the Hawks to matchup with Denver tonight. 

Can the Hawks slow down Nikola Jokic tonight? / © Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The big news the Hawks will be waiting on for this game is the status of De'Andre Hunter. 

Hunter (right quad tendon soreness) was added to the injury report today and is being listed as questionable. Rookies Kobe Bufkin and Mouhamed Gueye are still on the injury report, as is forward Jalen Johnson.

Hunter is an inconsistent player, but his absence could be really bad for the Hawks. Atlanta's defense is already struggling in every way and without Johnson, Hunter is by far their best wing defender. If he is out tomorrow, a lot of responsibility is going to be put on Saddiq Bey, who is not a very good defender.

 So who would start if Hunter can't play?

The two wing players that have gotten minutes off the bench have been Wesley Matthews and Garrison Matthews, but I have a hard time believing Hawks head coach Quin Snyder is going to do that. Neither player has been very good this season and doesn't need to play major minutes.

There are two other intriguing options. Onyeka Okongwu could start at the four and move Bey over to the three. Another option could be having Bogdan Bogdanovic start in place of Hunter, but with Trae Young off the injury report and presumably back in the starting lineup, I assume Snyder wants to be able to bring Bogdanovic off the bench. Hopefully, Hunter will be able to play and Snyder won't have to make a tough decision like that. If Hunter is out, would that open up minutes for AJ Griffin? Snyder seems reluctant to play him, but we'll see. 

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip-off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks are underdogs tonight, as they are 2.5 point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 240.5. 

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