Hawks 2015-16 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions

The Atlanta Hawks had a surprising run to first place in the East this past season, only to be swept by Cleveland in the conference finals. 

Wednesday marked the release of the Hawks' 2015-16 schedule, which can be viewed by clicking here, courtesy of NBA.com. Atlanta will have its work cut out to ascend to the top of the East again now that the Cavaliers will have the chance to fully jell.

Versatile swingman DeMarre Carroll left the Hawks for Toronto in free agency. Team-oriented as Atlanta's brand of basketball under coach Mike Budenholzer is, Carroll's absence will be most difficult to overcome, as he was the 2.0 version of a "glue guy."

Odds Shark has the Hawks as a 40-1 shot to win the NBA title, behind Cleveland, Chicago and Miami in the East and the majority of prospective playoff participants in the West. Hardly any respect for a squad that had the second-best record in the Association in 2014-15.

Most are discounting Atlanta's chances to emulate its recent success. Read on for a breakdown of the Hawks' biggest matchups and a final record prediction.

Breakdown of Top Games

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Saturday Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET 

Talk about an anticlimactic conclusion to an otherwise phenomenal resurgence. The Hawks flamed out against the Cavs in the playoffs, as Cleveland played the type of beautiful basketball Atlanta had all season and couldn't against the Cavs' suffocating defense.

When the Hawks trailed 2-0 in the conference finals this year, guard Kent Bazemore insisted his side was superior.

"We played them in the regular season this year and got the best of them," said Bazemore, per ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. "I still think we're the better team. We just haven't shown it yet."

Even with the knowledge of defeating the Cavs three of four times in the regular season, Atlanta couldn't muster enough for even one win from there.

But Buddy Grizzard of ESPN's TrueHoop Network gives Hawks fans reason to be optimistic:

A big help to the Hawks will also be Thabo Sefolosha, who was injured for the playoff series against Cleveland and is able to stretch the floor as a shooter. Sefolosha is more notably a tremendous defender on the wing who can at least bother the likes of superstar LeBron James.

Trading for Tiago Splitter to help Al Horford protect the rim down low also allows the Hawks to cater to the strengths of their power forwards in All-Star Paul Millsap and fellow stretch 4 Mike Scott.

That offsets the splash Cavs All-Star Kevin Love can make to a degree. Love is the only power forward on Cleveland's roster who can really put pressure on a defense with his shooting range. Anderson Varejao isn't that way, and Tristan Thompson certainly isn't.

But the X-factors are James and Kyrie Irving. Unless Atlanta can manufacture a game plan to stop at least one of them, its chances of winning more than one game in the regular-season series are rather low. The first meeting in November at Cleveland will be a good indication.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat

Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET

John Bazemore/Associated Press

One element to the NBA Finals odds that stood out was how the Heat were rated with better chances at the Larry O'Brien Trophy than the Hawks—despite not making the playoffs.

The point guard battle will be one to watch, but not necessarily for the starters.

Atlanta's Jeff Teague and counterpart Goran Dragic ought to neutralize each other. Where the Hawks can gain an upper hand is with their bench tandem of Dennis Schroder and Shelvin Mack.

When Atlanta swept the season series 4-0 most recently, Schroder had the high assist total in the latter two contests. The young German floor general and the savvy Mack could do some damage when Dragic is on the bench and only Mario Chalmers is in the way.

As far as the frontcourt, Millsap matches up well with Chris Bosh at the 4 position, and Horford can handle breakout Heat star Hassan Whiteside at the center spot.

Personnel-wise, it's a favorable matchup on paper for Atlanta. What will determine the Heat's success is how much they can get out of aging legend Dwyane Wade, how healthy Bosh is and what type of impact lottery pick Justise Winslow brings to the hardwood as a rookie.

These games are a chance for the Hawks to prove their doubters wrong, as at least the oddsmakers appear to be forecasting a resurgence in South Beach.

Record Prediction

David Goldman/Associated Press

One factor impossible to ignore in the collective, selfless equation that made the Hawks so great a season ago was Horford's ability to stay healthy.

Horford played just 29 games the year prior and was instrumental in helping everything click in Budenholzer's second year at the helm. Max Rappaport of NBA.com has a fantastic graphic to illustrate how Horford's passing ability and pure presence aided Atlanta's three-point shooting:

The NBA is loaded with star power at the point guard position. A dearth of depth tends to follow, but the Hawks have an All-Star in Teague and two capable backups. It's a rare asset few teams boast.

Atlanta has so many different players for opponents to account for. The question is whether Budenholzer can work his magic again and get the Hawks to band together for another impressive run.

Last season's results are both a blessing and a curse. If things don't go well at the start of 2015-16, the Hawks may not be built to handle the adversity. They crumbled under pressure versus Cleveland and generally peaked too early.

The Hawks appear destined for the playoffs in a weaker but improving Eastern Conference. This time around it will be a taller order to make the conference finals, because they won't have the No. 1 seed and may not even make it out of the first round.

Record Prediction: 49-33