Atlanta Hawks: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

Strength No. 3: Rebounding

The Atlanta Hawks are going to concentrate on closing out possessions by snaring every possible defensive rebound. Atlanta led the NBA in defensive rebounding chances a year ago, with opponents missing an average of 61.1 shots a night.

The accelerated pace, as the Hawks ranked 10th last year, and opponents shooting 44.4 percent led to 34.1 defensive rebounds a night, 10th-most in the league, while also pulling down 10.8 offensive rebounds a night.

Losing Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard vacates nearly 41 percent of the total rebounds the team pulled down last year, but Dewayne Dedmon and John Collins are expected to fill the void.

Through three preseason games, Atlanta has pulled down an average of 41.6 rebounds an night — not a bad start considering all of the changes to the roster.

Once the team begins to jell, the Hawks should become effective at collecting missed shots on both ends of the floor.