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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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Atlanta Hawks Kent Bazemore
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 6: Mike Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

4. Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors, November 21st

Unfortunately, Drake is not the reason why the Raptors are number four on the list. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. This summer the Raptors landed Kawhi Leonard in a trade that shipped DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

Again, Taurean Prince will be put to the test on the defensive side of the ball. The third-year forward will have to develop into a solid two-way player in order to help the Hawks grow into a contender. Seeing Prince go against Leonard on the offensive end of the floor will be a treat., as last season, the 2016 draft pick averaged 14.1 points, 2.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds. Another matchup to watch out for is Collins at the forward position going against Serge Ibaka, who may have lost a step or two at this point.

Depending on the type of offense first-year head coach Lloyd Pierce runs, Collins could dominate the matchup on the boards and in the paint. By no means am I saying he is better than Ibaka. However, in recent years, Ibaka has continued to pass up opportunities to score in the paint to settle for three-point attempts.

The final matchup that fans need to watch out for is the battle of the centers. Dewayne Dedmon will be tasked with defending and boxing out Jonas Valanciunas. Despite the multiple missed potential game-winning layups in the playoffs last season, Valanciunas is a talented center. Dedmon will be tested on the defensive side of the floor.

Both teams have put together impressive second units. Huerter will be an x-factor in this game because of his height, wingspan and ability to shoot over smaller defenders.

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