The Atlanta Hawks begin their 2016-2017 NBA Preseason Games campaign with a match against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Thursday, Oct. 6.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Atlanta is now without four-time All-Star Al Horford, who joined the Boston Celtics via free-agency in the summer, but in his place is eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard. Howard is not known as a better team player than Horford, but when it comes to individual talent, he definitely has the edge in his capacity to dominate games.
As his backup is another newcomer in former Spur Tiago Splitter, which is a deep center rotation for head coach Mike Budenholzer if both are healthy.
Another notable absence this season is Jeff Teague, who joined the Indiana Pacers last July in a three-time trade with the Utah Jazz.
Dennis Schröder is the new starting point guard with veteran Jarret Jack as his primary backup. However, Jack is set to miss this preseason opener as he is still recovering from a knee surgery done in January.
Starting power forward Paul Millsap will also be unavailable against the Grizzlies as he underwent a knee procedure before training camp. He is scheduled to miss three weeks and will be clear to play in the regular season opener.
The Hawks had the second-best defense in the NBA last season and, with the addition of Howard, they go on to be the top defensive team this time.
Meanwhile, Memphis beat the Orlando Magic, 102-97, in their preseason opener held also at the FedExForum on Monday night.
March Gasol and Mike Conley have already returned from injury and started for new head coach David Fizdale. Gasol and Conley scored 10 points each in 13 and 17 minutes of playing time respectively.
Zach Randolph had a dismal night with only two points in 1-for-4 shooting in 11 minutes. He came off the bench replacing Jeff Green, who was the chosen starter at the power forward spot.
One bright spot was rookie point guard Wade Baldwin IV, who was selected 17th overall in last June's draft. He scored 15 points and dished off four assists in 28 minutes spelling Conley and sophomore Andrew Harrison.
Prediction
The game is expected to be highly-entertaining even if Gasol and Howard is fielded in for only limited minutes. Memphis is a slight favorite to win, but the Hawks could definitely pull off an upset.
