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Atlanta Hawks: The 5 biggest home games before Christmas

By Joshua Buckhalter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on January 01, 2021 in New York City. The Hawks defeated the Nets 114-96. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against De'Andre Hunter #12 of the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center on January 01, 2021 in New York City. The Hawks defeated the Nets 114-96. 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. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks must-see home game No. 5: Fri, Dec 17 vs. Denver Nuggets

The defending MVP coming to town is always noteworthy. And the Hawks will welcome Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets with Young in the top-10 for MVP odds next season. Jokic was the first center to win the award since Shaq in 2000. Young would be the first point guard since Russell Westbrook in 2017.

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Denver is packing a ton of firepower outside of Jokic too.

Jamal Murray should be back from his torn ACL and Michael Porter Jr. came on in his absence, averaging 23.5 points and 6.1 rebounds during the regular season and 17.4 points and 6.2 boards in the playoffs.

Murray has a higher scoring average in the postseason than he does for his career.

Aaron Gordon also matches up well with Collins, who he held to a similar point total as the first matchup between these two teams; which he missed.

But Collins was only able to grab five rebounds after snagging 11 in the first meeting.

With just the two meetings on tap yet again (different conferences and whatnot), there is added importance on catching the fireworks.

Young had 21 points and seven assist in the loss, but 35 points and 15 assists in the win. Murray countered with 30 in the first game and 17 in the second as Denver had six guys in double figures (compared to four for the Hawks) including Ja’Mychal Green’s team-leading 20 points.

Next. Atlanta Hawks: 5 lineup combinations to get excited about next season. dark

Last year the Nuggets were the deeper team, especially after acquiring Gordon. But now, following free agency and the draft, the Hawks might be able to take both games against their Western Conference opponent.

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