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Atlanta Hawks: 5 Key Games That Fans Should Watch in 2018-19

By Zackery Rogers

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic and Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks pose for a photo during the 2018 NBA Rookie Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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5. Atlanta Hawks @ Los Angeles Lakers, November 11th

Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks /

Although the Hawks will not be in contention for a championship this year it’s important to see how they will fair against LeBron James. After signing with the Lakers this offseason, everyone is excited to see how the “Meme Team” dynamics will work.

Needless to say, almost every team in the NBA wants to be the first to beat James and his new team. This matchup will provide some excitement for NBA fans. Both rosters are relatively young and inexperienced and finished with a record below .500 season last year.

The Lakers haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2012-13 season. On the other hand, the Hawks missed the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2006-07 season. This game will provide some interesting matchups. Jeremy Lin, if healthy, will probably square off against Lonzo Ball. Of course, Ball has the size advantage over Lin but the UCLA product struggles on the defensive end.

In addition to the point-guard battle, Kent Bazemore and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be interesting to watch considering they share a similar style of play. Not to mention this will be a good test for John Collins and Trae Young against the Lakers’ young guns.

Collins could dominate the power forward matchup no matter who is guarding him. This season Collins will prove that he is the real deal. Ice Trae will also have his hands full and be put to the test against L.A.

The Oklahoma product will see a host of different defenders in Rajon Rondo, Caldwell-Pope or Ball who all have the size and length advantage. Of course, James will dominate any matchup but it will be interesting to see how Taurean Prince challenges the King.

While James was in Cleveland, Prince tended to get a bit physical with the 2003 draft pick and never shied away from contact. The third-year small-forward commits to both sides of the floor and could be a team leader down the road.

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