Nets vs Hawks Prediction, Odds & Game Preview 3/16/2025

The Atlanta Hawks bring their high-octane offense (ranked 5th in NBA scoring) to Brooklyn, looking to create separation in the Eastern Conference's 7th spot after their disappointing collapse against the Clippers broke a four-game win streak.

For the Nets, who've dropped 10 of their last 11 games and sit at a dismal 22-44 record, Cameron Johnson's recent 23-point performance stands as a rare bright spot in what's become a lost season aimed more at lottery balls than playoff hopes.

The stage is set for a Sunday evening showdown at Barclays Center, where the home team Nets face an uphill battle against an away team Hawks squad that's won five of their last six road games against Eastern Conference opponents with losing records.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks preview

The struggling Brooklyn Nets host the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center in what's shaping up to be a tale of two very different seasons.

While the Hawks are fighting to maintain their seventh spot in the East with their high-octane offense (ranked fifth in points per game), the Nets are limping through a brutal stretch, dropping nine of their last ten games.

Friday night's collapse against the Clippers exposed Atlanta's defensive vulnerabilities - they went from an eight-point halftime lead to scoring just eight points in a nightmarish third quarter, though Onyeka Okongwu's double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) was a bright spot.

The Nets' Cameron Johnson has been a lone warrior, putting up nearly 19 points per game, but their 29th-ranked offense hasn't given him much support.

Brooklyn's home court hasn't been much of an advantage lately, and they're looking particularly vulnerable on the second night of a back-to-back after Saturday's tight loss to Boston.

The Hawks will be missing some firepower with Larry Nance Jr. and Jalen Johnson sidelined, while the Nets are dealing with their own injury concerns as Noah Clowney remains a game-time decision.

These teams' last meeting in November saw Atlanta squeeze out a 120-116 win, but given the Nets' current form and defensive struggles (ranked 27th in field goal defense), this one might not be as close.

Look for the Hawks to push the pace - they're second in the NBA in that category - and try to exploit Brooklyn's rebounding woes, which currently rank dead last in the league.