Incoming Hawks vs Rockets props and more!
Tonight we’ve got the final preseason matchup between Houston and Atlanta, and this game is going to look absolutely nothing like their first meeting ten days ago.
The Rockets rolled into Atlanta and smoked the Hawks 122-113 back on October 6, but tonight’s a completely different animal.
Atlanta is sitting as 9.5-point favorites at home, and we’d have to believe that most of the Rockets’ regulars won’t be playing.
Best DFS Apps in All States
Hawks vs Rockets Props – Thursday, October 16
The Rockets are cruising at 3-0 through the preseason—wins over Atlanta (122-113), Utah (140-127), and a dramatic 130-128 squeaker against New Orleans.
After going 2-1 in the preseason (loss to Houston, wins over Memphis 122-116 and Miami 119-118 in OT), Atlanta strategically rested their entire starting five against Miami two days ago.
Who suits up for tonight’s game will dramatically affect Hawks vs Rockets props that we want to target.
As of early in the day Thursday, there aren’t any projections up at Underdog Fantasy for Houston, but we have some Atlanta props to analyze.
Hawks Preview
You would think that tonight is about the starters getting final reps together – and that’s my educated guess.
Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher need one more run before facing Toronto in the regular season opener.
Jalen Johnson is the story here—the 23-year-old returning from a torn left shoulder labrum that ended his breakout season in January.
Before the injury, Johnson was averaging 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks. He would’ve been the only NBA player hitting 15/10/5 with 1+ steal and 1+ block if he’d qualified. That’s All-Star caliber production.
Through two preseason games, Johnson looks fully explosive.
He tallied 11 points (5-8 shooting) with 2 steals and 2 blocks against Houston, then 20 points (7-11 FG, perfect 6-6 from the line), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals against Memphis in 24 minutes.
He trained with LeBron this summer, and the shoulder looks 100%. Everything Atlanta hopes to accomplish this season runs through Johnson staying healthy.
Rockets Preview
The Rockets will continue to adapt on the fly without Fred VanVleet, who was injured over the summer and will miss the entire season.
On the bright side, Alperen Şengun has been spectacular running the offense. Through three preseason games, the 23-year-old center has been Houston’s revelation.
Against Utah, he dropped 13 assists with 4 steals. In that first Atlanta game. Şengun went off for 19 points, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in just 17 minutes—shooting a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line.
Coach Ime Udoka is fully embracing a non-traditional approach, which makes Şengün the primary hub for the entire offense. It’s working.
Kevin Durant looked seamless in his preseason debut against Utah—20 points on 7-10 shooting in 23 minutes.
Jabari Smith Jr. has been cooking. He logged 26 points in 22 minutes against the Pelicans with the team at +23 when he was on the floor.
The 22-year-old forward just signed a 5-year extension and is proving he’s worth every penny as the perfect stretch four next to Sengun.
The wildcard is Reed Sheppard, the 2024 No. 3 overall pick thrust into starting point guard duty.
He’s been inconsistent—7 points on 2-6 shooting against Atlanta, then 13 points on 4-8 shooting (3-6 from three) against New Orleans.
For a second-year player learning on the fly, that’s expected but also slightly concerning given Houston’s championship timeline. He’s the same guy who went nuclear in the G League, so there is definitely an untapped ceiling at play.
Who’s Playing Tonight
Tonight’s approach: Expect Houston to rest some combination (or all of) Durant, SengUn, and Smith after they’ve played heavy minutes recently.
This is an audition game for the deep bench. Guys like JD Davison (who dropped 17 points in that first Atlanta meeting), Tari Eason, and Clint Capela are fighting for rotation spots and roster security.
The starters have found their rhythm through three games. No reason to risk anything in a meaningless exhibition.
Hawks vs Rockets Props Tonight
Let’s take a look at Jalen Johnson on Underdog Fantasy.
Johnson has a chance to leap to an elite wing level amongst the current NBA greats. He has a great combination of skill, length, and athleticism.
Atlanta has a massive team total and is heavily favored by oddsmakers, implying Houston won’t have some of their best players active.
That should mean minimal resistance for the kid who was playing like a stud before an injury derailed the second half of his 2024-25 season.
I also have interest in Reed Sheppard if his numbers are posted anywhere later. He needs as many NBA-level reps as he can get, as he continues to try and partially fill the void of VanVleet.
Hawks vs Rockets Props Pick: Jalen Johnson Higher Than 16.5 Points
