(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

October 30—Washington Wizards

The second game of the season shouldn't be that important, but this game is big for the Hawks. Washington is going to be the most improved team in the East in 2010.  The Wizards brought in Flip Saunders as head coach. He has had more NBA success than Hawks coach Mike Woodson. Of course, Saunders did have Kevin Garnett in Minnesota. 

The additions of Mike Miller and Randy Foye coupled with Gilbert Arenas’ return from injury make the Wizards very dangerous for the Hawks. The Wizards should make the playoffs this year.

November 7—Denver Nuggets

With their playoff performance and Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets have become one of the elite teams in the NBA. They are in a small group of teams with NBA championship aspirations. Hawks fans should be wondering who is going to guard Carmelo Anthony? 

This early-season match-up is the Hawks only home game amidst a 6 game road trip that includes a tough West Coast swing. The Hawks will need a big win in Philips Arena.

November 16—Portland Trailblazers

Brandon Roy is worth the price of admission (Hawks need to look at his extension in current talks with Joe Johnson), but the big question for Portland is whether or not Greg Oden is going to be able to start and give them quality minutes this season without getting injured.

With the lack of big men in the Hawks front line, the home fans will be impressed with Portland’s big men. I would take Przbilla right now and start him beside Al Horford.

November 18—Miami Heat

This Southeast Division home rematch from the 2009 Playoffs will be a huge game Atlanta. The Hawks and Heat likely will be competing all season for playoff seeding and the home court advantage was the difference in the playoffs this year. The Hawks won Game 7 because the game was played in Philips Arena. 

The Heat should be better with improved play from Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley, but if they are relying on Jermaine O’Neal again in the post, the Hawks should have the advantage.

D-Wade is worth the price of admission himself and Hawks analysts will be watching to see if Mike Woodson double teams him if the game is close in the fourth quarter. Man, I hope so.

November 26—Orlando Magic

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