Atlanta Hawks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season
3. Atlanta Hawks will score fewer than 100 points per game
Points will be at a premium all season for the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta failed to score at least 100 points on 34 occasions during the 2016-17 season, accounting for 41.4 percent of its total games played.
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A year ago, the Hawks tied Miami for 21st in the league in scoring average, posting 103.2 points per game, but with such a dramatic shift on the roster, the team could enter uncharted territory under coach Mike Budenholzer.
Since Bud was hired by the Hawks in 2013, Atlanta has averaged 102.4 points per game, never falling under 100 points per game at any point in his tenure.
Without a cast of proven scorers though, the team could easily dip below 100 points per game. Last year, only the Dallas Mavericks failed to score 100 points per game, averaging 97.9 a night.
Aside from point guard Dennis Schroder, no player has attempted even 12 shots per game at any point in their career, meaning reliable scoring will likely be an issue. The Hawks aren’t expected to win many games next season, with the most pressing issue facing the team being its lack of a scoring punch.