NBA on TNT picks: Hawks vs. Pistons, Clippers vs. Warriors

TNT launches its NBA regular-season coverage Thursday evening, with an intriguing doubleheader featuring the Atlanta Hawks and the Detroit Pistons in the early slot and the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors in the late tilt. We have odds and picks for both matchups below.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. ET

The battle for second place in the Central Division begins Thursday evening, when the Pistons host the Hawks at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit will enter the game without the services of Blake Griffin, who has been ruled out until November with lingering knee and hamstring issues. His absence is a big blow for the Pistons, particularly on offense. The six-time all-star scored 30 points or more 21 times during the 2018-2019 season and finished his first full season in Motown with a career-high 24.5 points per game average.

Griffin isn't the only Piston who is banged up. Reggie Jackson could also miss the game with back soreness, although that could be more of a blessing than a curse. The 29-year-old chucker shot just 42% from the field last season and continues to be among the least efficient points guards in the league. Sharpshooter Luke Kennard has been dealing with right-knee soreness and could be limited after playing heavy minutes on Wednesday against the Pacers.

So who does that leave exactly? There's Derrick Rose and his 108-year-old knees and Andre Drummond, who lives in a state of perpetual fear of having to take foul shots. Offense could be at a premium.

It should be a very different story for the Hawks, whose young and dynamic roster is the envy of the league. It all starts with Trae Young and John Collins, whose ability to pick and pop makes them one of the explosive duos in the league. They're joined this season by first-round draft picks Cam Reddish and De'Andre Hunter, a pair of hyper-athletic wings who should be able to run circles around opponents. New addition Jabari Parker will come off the bench to provide a little scoring punch, just don't ask him to play any defense.

It can be dangerous to fall in love with shiny new objects, but in this case, it just makes sense. The Hawks' speed, youth and athleticism should be too much for the Pistons to counter, especially without Griffin around to bail them out in the fourth quarter.

NBA free pick: Hawks +1 and moneyline

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET

The last time the Clippers and Warriors met was back in April, when L.A. nearly toppled Golden State in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Clippers have since strengthened their roster with world-class reinforcements, while the Warriors have been hit hard by injuries and defections.

Golden State will head into Thursday night's tilt without Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala and DeMarcus Cousins, all of whom are no longer in the Bay Area. Klay Thompson will also be on the sideline as he rehabs his torn ACL. That's 80% of last year's starting rotation, and it will place a tremendous burden on holdovers Steph Curry and Draymond Green. D'Angelo Russell is around to help, of course, but it remains to be seen how his ball-dominant style will fit in with the Warriors' space-and-pace ethos.

The Clippers will roll out a rock-solid rotation led by Kawhi Leonard, who scored 30 points in 32 minutes in the Clippers' 112-102 victory over the Lakers on opening night. The two-time NBA Finals MVP displayed remarkable composure throughout the game, especially in the first half, when he hit seven straight shots to erase an early Lakers lead.

Leonard was only part of the story, as the Clippers' reserves once again showed why they were the NBA's best bench unit last season. Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams dropped a cool 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, and the Clips' backup band outscored the Lakers reserves 60-19.

L.A.'s depth and Leonard's remarkably efficient play should be all the Clippers need to keep their perfect record intact Thursday.

NBA free pick: Clippers -1.5