Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Prediction for Friday October 23 2026

Southeast Division rivals will square off on Friday night, when the Atlanta Hawks visit the Charlotte Hornets. Tipoff is scheduled for October 23, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST from the Spectrum Center. The game will be streamed on NBA League Pass. The Hawks have been installed as a 2.5 point road favorite and the total is sitting at 226.5.Be ready for all of this season's NBA action with our free NBA picks.

Atlanta a sleeper in the Eastern Conference

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the hottest teams in the second half of last season and lost to New York in the first round of the playoffs. The Hawks (46-36) traded Trae Young at the NBA trade deadline and became a much improved defensive team as a result. On Wednesday, Atlanta converted 30 of 36 free-throw attempts and shot 49 percent from the field during a 132-125 road victory against Orlando. 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker led six Atlanta players in double figures with 31 points (5-8 3PT) and four boards. All-Star F Jalen Johnson contributed 20 points (7-19 FG), 14 rebounds, and six assists. Dyson Daniels added 20 points and five steals for the Hawks. 

The Hawks were a middle of the pack offensive team and had a 55.4 effective field goal percentage. Atlanta signed Lu Dort in the offseason and he will provide plenty of defensive versatility off the bench. The Hawks finished 10th in defensive efficiency a season ago and should be even better with Dort in the rotation. 

New look Hornets striving for the playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets have missed the playoffs in ten consecutive seasons and have not won a playoff series since 2002. The Hornets (44-38) traded LaMelo Ball to Minnesota in the offseason and are excited about what big man Naz Reid will be able to provide in return. On opening night, Charlotte connected on 15-for-48 three-point attempts during a 110-103 road victory against Brooklyn. 

Veteran G Grayson Allen knocked down 5-for-8 from long distance and finished with a team-high 21 points off the Charlotte bench. Naz Reid dazzled in his team debut with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Dennis Schroder added 19 points and six assists for the Hornets. 

Charlotte ranked in the bottom six in turnover rate last season and committed 21 turnovers against Brooklyn. The Hornets were a middle of the pack defensive squad and Moussa Diabate (5 steals) will impact that end of the floor. Charlotte outrebounded Brooklyn by a 44-38 margin and led for 87 percent of the game.

Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Prediction

Pick: Atlanta Hawks -2.5

Charlotte guards Coby White (calf) and Kon Knueppel (hamstring) will remain sidelined for this game. The Hawks won the first meeting last season, but the Hornets rallied to claim the final three by a total of 17 points. Atlanta is the better defensive team and Charlotte is missing a couple of key rotation players. Take the Hawks to win on the road.

Pick: Under 226.5

Atlanta played at the fourth fastest tempo in the league and Charlotte was a bottom six team in that category. The Hornets shot 48 three-pointers in their season opener and the Hawks have the ability to get out and defend the perimeter. Dyson Daniels and Lu Dort are two of the ten best on-ball defenders in the NBA. Take the under.

Final Score Prediction: Atlanta Hawks win 114-106