The Atlanta Hawks will be up against the Toronto Raptors in their opening clash of the NBA 2025-26 regular season. The Raptors will visit the Hawks at State Farm Arena on Wednesday, October 22, to mark the beginning of a brand new campaign with new high hopes and expectations. The Atlanta Hawks finished their previous campaign in ninth spot to reach the play-in tournament.
In the offseason, they added Nickeil Alexander-Walker, N’Faly Dante, Luke Kennard and Kristaps Porzingis to build a roster around Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. They have had a disappointing preseason, where they could manage to record only two wins in four games. It is expected that the Hawks have analyzed their shortcomings and would aim to improve their strategies in the regular season.
The Toronto Raptors, on the other hand, missed the play-in tournament after finishing 11th with a 30-52 record. They have had a quiet offseason, where they signed Sandro Mamukelashvili to a two-year deal. In the preseason, they went on a 4-2 run, setting the tone right for the regular season. However, ahead of the game, they announced that two first round picks will miss the opener due to illness and injury, which could hurt their season opener hopes.
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
TV: FDSSE, SportsNet
Live Streaming: Fubo, NBA League Pass
| Recommended Bets | FanDuel | BetMGM |
| Trae Young 25+ Points | +100 | -115 |
| Scottie Barnes 15+ Points | -265 | -325 |
| Total Points Under 236.5 | -110 | -105 |
Trae Young dropped an average of 24.2 points per game for the Hawks during the 2024-25 season. In the preseason, Young came up with nine points, 11 points, and 12 points, respectively in three games that he was a part of. He is expected to make the most of familiar conditions at home and top 25 points.
In the previous season, Scottie Barnes dropped an average of 19.3 points in 65 games that he played for the Raptors. While we cannot expect him to drop over 20 points in the first game, Barnes is capable of coming up with over 15 points easily on Wednesday.
Both teams have posted decent scores during the preseason, suggesting that they like to play fast. However, their high scoring games also suggest that they didn’t lock their teams down early, which could lead to them posting more points. However, considering that it is a regular-season game, a total score under 236.5 points seems a safe bet.
The Atlanta Hawks have undergone a transformation during the offseason, and they would aim to prove those moves. Apart from signing multiple players, the Hawks’ front office has also undergone an overhaul. After firing general manager Landry Fields, they promoted Onsi Saleh and signed a few more executives. Porzingis, Alexander-Walker and Kennard are a few notable signings, and it might overwhelm the Raptors.
On the other hand, the Raptors head coach followed a new strategy during the preseason finale, keeping at least two starters on the court at all times. If Darko Rajakovic is planning to follow the same strategy during the regular season, then Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes could lead a competitive roster.
However, the Raptors will be without two rookies, who could make a valuable contribution to the upcoming game. Moreover, the Hawks have a comparatively strong roster, playing at home. All these odds suggest that the Hawks could take the game against the Raptors.
Prediction: Atlanta Hawks to win
The moneyline and spread show the Atlanta Hawks are the favorites in the upcoming matchup against the Toronto Raptors. (Sourced from BetMGM)
| Moneyline | Spread | Total Points | |
| Atlanta Hawks | -225 | -5.5 (-110) | O 236.5 (-115) |
| Toronto Raptors | +185 | +5.5 (-110) | U 236.5 (-105) |
Here are some over/under odds and best player bets for the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors as per BetMGM.
| Over/Under Bets | Over | Under |
| Trae Young 11.5 Assists | +105 | -140 |
| Jalen Johnson 9.5 Rebounds | +110 | -150 |
| Kristaps Porzingis 1.5 Blocks | -115 | -120 |
Here are some of the best player bets for the Atlanta Hawks. (as per odds from BetMGM)
Trae Young 25+ Points : -115
Onyeka Okongwu 7+ Rebounds: -185
Kristaps Porziņģis 20+ Points: +150
Below given are some over/under odds for the Toronto Raptors. (as per BetMGM)
| Over/Under Bets | Over | Under |
| Brandon Ingram 18.5 Points | -110 | -120 |
| RJ Barrett 5.5 Rebounds | -130 | +100 |
| Immanuel Quickley 5.5 | +100 | -135 |
Here are some of the best player bets for the Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes to Record Double-Double: +260
Jakob Poeltl 10+ Rebounds: -125
RJ Barrett 3+ 3PM: +195
The odds given above are sourced from BetMGM. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game across all sports.
The over/under for total points in the Hawks-Raptors game is set at 236.5 points.
The Hawks have a 5.5 edge over the Raptors.
The Hawks are favorites with a moneyline of -225, while the Raptors are underdogs at +185.
Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.
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