Hawks Torch Spurs in Preseason Shootout as Under Goes Up in Flames

The Hawks rolled into San Antonio and turned what should have been a preseason snoozefest into a 239-point explosion, torching the Spurs 123-116 and making our under 227.5 look foolish in the process. So much for camp bodies and clunky rotations killing offensive efficiency—both squads apparently forgot the preseason memo and decided to run like it was playoff intensity instead.

Atlanta came out firing and never let up, pushing pace and finding enough shooting touch from their extended roster to keep the scoreboard operators busy all night. The Spurs matched that energy for three quarters, hanging around 116 despite rotating through their depth chart like a carousel. Instead of the expected 8-15 point shortfall from regular-season execution, we got eleven points *over* the total. Eleven.

The logic was sound: deep benches, limited minutes for starters, October rust. What we didn't account for was both teams apparently deciding defense was optional and transition buckets were mandatory. When preseason games hit 239 combined points, you tip your cap to the chaos and move on. The under never had a chance once the second quarter turned into a track meet. Tough beat, but that's preseason basketball—unpredictable, unserious, and unforgiving to totals bettors.