Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: Feb. 8 vs. Denver Nuggets

Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks won 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks won 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) defends against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks won 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) defends against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks won 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

The Hawks are better than the Denver Nuggets. This fact hasn’t stopped Atlanta from losing to other teams that are slightly beneath them in quality, but it’s still a fact that should be understood heading into this match-up.

The last time these two teams faced off an act of God or nature led to a Hawks victory. I wouldn’t count on that happening again. Atlanta needs to get off to a good start if they are going to win this time.

I think they will. Tonight is the night where the Hawks come out firing on all cylinders. Jokic may get his, but the Nuggets don’t have anyone that can slow down Dennis Schroder and Paul Millsap. Dwight Howard going against Jokic on the offensive end may even get the talented big man in foul trouble.

If Howard is getting post touches early you know exactly what Mike Budenholzer is thinking.

Daily Fantasy Basketball Projections by numberFire

The projections at numberFire give the Hawks a 71.63 percent chance of winning. I agree wholeheartedly with the robots on this one. Atlanta will bounce back from their loss to the Utah Jazz by easily dispatching the Denver Nuggets.

Next: Hawks Prospect Watch

Who: Denver Nuggets (23-28) @ Atlanta Hawks (30-22) 

When: 7:30 PM EST, Wednesday, February 8th, 2017

Where: Phillips Arena 

How: Fox Sports Southeast 

Prediction:Hawks 102 Nuggets 90