Toronto Raptors vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 10/22/25, 4:10 PM  by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks

The Atlanta Hawks, preparing to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, have opened their new season with familiar expectations: scoring in bunches and playing at a tempo few teams can comfortably match. Their offensive philosophy remains built around speed, spacing, and perimeter creativity — a formula that once again makes them one of the more entertaining teams in the Eastern Conference. Last season's campaign ended with a mid-tier playoff finish, reflecting both their potential and their persistent defensive vulnerabilities.

Early preseason performances have reaffirmed that the Hawks' ability to put points on the board is undiminished. They've averaged high scoring totals across their warm-up games, with crisp ball movement and confident outside shooting. Yet the same defensive issues that have plagued them in recent years continue to surface. Atlanta's struggles to contain strong forwards and secure defensive rebounds have often turned winnable games into tight contests. Opponents who emphasize inside scoring and second-chance points tend to find success against them, suggesting that consistency on the defensive glass remains a priority.

The Raptors enter this matchup as one of the league's most defensively structured and disciplined teams. Their identity remains grounded in grit, effort, and collective responsibility. While Toronto occasionally struggles to generate consistent offensive output, they make up for it with elite transition defense and strong half-court rotations.

Closing last season as one of the East's toughest defensive units, the Raptors continue to frustrate opponents by holding them below 110 points per game. Their preseason has shown steady form, with the team emphasizing physicality and spacing rather than individual heroics. Toronto's balanced approach and adaptability give them a reliable foundation, even when their offense isn't firing at full efficiency.