Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images As the new season looks to be just over the horizon, there is a sense that the Atlanta Hawks could surprise some people after a pedestrian 41-41 record in 2022-23. With a coaching change behind them and entering year two of the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray partnership, Atlanta is looking to build upon a strong finish to last season and to vault into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference this year. Sadly, at this point in the offseason, all that exists are predictions without the aid of concrete on court evidence. Of course, where there are predictions, there are people willing to put their money on those predictions. And where there is a betting public, there are betting services looking to profit off that confidence. Which then begs the question: what do those betting services think of the Hawks’ chances at winning the ultimate prize this upcoming summer? Let’s go through a few different services to see and compare: Sportsline’s NBA Futures odds has the Atlanta Hawks at +7500 to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the postseason. That works out to roughly a 1.3% chance at the 2023-24 NBA championship based on those implied odds. BetMGM, on the other hands, gives Atlanta slightly longer odds at +8000 or around 1.2% implied odds. Fanduel has the Hawks at +7500 to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship, even with Sportsline. But it’s not just team accomplishments that are up for debate, of course. There is always a fierce battle for the Most Valuable Player award, and the Hawks have a player who is a walking 28-and-10 who could sneak into the conversation with improved team success this season. Also at Fanduel, Trae Young is listed at +6000 to win MVP in 2023-24 which works out to 1.6% implied odds. Next is DraftKings, a popular service for daily bidding as well as season-long stakes. As of Tuesday, October 24th, DraftKings gives Young much better odds at winning the ultimate personal award at +2000 or 4.8% implied odds. In fact, only 10 players have shorter odds than Atlanta’s star player currently. So, the separate books certainly differ on their opinion of the Hawks and Trae Young. But starting in fewer than two weeks, the players will have ample chance to begin defying those odds in earnest on the hardwood court.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports LIIIINKS It’s Friday for you and it’s Friday for the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Detroit is in sight for Week 3 — Let’s peruse some Falcons links. Lions on deck for Week 3 Well, well, well. The Atlanta Falcons are 2-0 in a (surprisingly!) strong division. Atlanta heads north to face off against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, their biggest test so far in the young season. Atlanta will not be at full strength for the game, with joker Cordarrelle Patterson seeming to aggravate an injury. Linebacker Troy Andersen has been removed from the concussion protocol. Running back Godwin Igwebuike snagged from practice squad The Falcons elevated running back Godwin Igwebuike from the practice squad for the first two games, and now he’s been poached from Atlanta’s practice squad by the Steelers. With Cordarrelle Patterson potentially on the shelf a bit longer, this is a big hit to the Falcons’ depth at running back. Dalman discusses 2023 season Atlanta starting center Drew Dalman had a chat with our Evan Birchfield about the 2-0 start and the work the offensive line has put in to get off on the right foot. You can read the interview right here. The Falcoholic Live Episode 256 With the Lions in view, the Falcons are facing a tough test to potentially move to 3-0 to open the 2023 campaign. The crew from The Falcoholic Live discussed this week’s matchup on Wednesday evening, and if you happened to miss the live broadcast, it’s available right here.

Cooper Neill/Getty Images Thursday’s practice reports are in! Thursday is here, as the 2-0 Atlanta Falcons continue to prepare for their first road test of the season, as they travel north and face the Detroit Lions. The Lions were pretty banged up on Wednesday, and the Falcons seem to be getting healthier. You can expect to see the injury reports here every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Atlanta Falcons Full Participation • CB Jeff Okudah (foot) Limited Participation • N/A Did Not Practice • DL Bud Dupree (illness) • Joker Cordarelle Patterson (thigh) Detroit Lions Full Participation • N/A Limited Participation • WR Josh Reynolds (groin) • WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe) Did Not Practice • OT Taylor Decker (ankle) • S Kerby Joseph (hip) • RB David Montgomery (thigh) • CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) • OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) • C Frank Ragnow (toe/rest) The Falcons got slightly healthier on Thursday as linebacker Troy Andersen was officially removed from concussion protocol. Andersen sustained a concussion in Week 1 and ended up missing Week 2 due to it. A name that popped up on Thursday that’s worth keeping an eye on is joker Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson has not suited up for a game this season, and seemed like he was on track to finally do so this weekend. We will have a better idea of his thigh injury on Friday. Looking at Detroit, there wasn't too much movement from Wednesday. Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was upgraded to being a limited participant on Thursday. Also, center Frank Ragnow went from a full participant to not practicing today. We will keep an eye on the health of both teams as the week progresses.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Max Fried will take the mound Thursday as the Atlanta Braves begin their final road trip of the regular season against the Washington Nationals. Washington will go with young right-hander Jake Irvin. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports Southeast. Pregame Notes Thursday’s Preview Thursday’s Lineups