Hawks Aim to Extend Momentum Against Clippers Amid Injuries
Tonight, the Atlanta Hawks are hitting the road to face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. After a brief 2-1 home stint, Atlanta is starting a four-game road trip that will take them to Sacramento, Utah, and finally Phoenix. This game comes as the Hawks continue to navigate life without their star guard, Trae Young, who remains sidelined for several weeks due to injury.
The Hawks have been hard-hit by injuries recently. In their last game against the Lakers, they were missing five of their top eight rotation players, including Young, Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard. However, tonight brings some relief, as Jalen Johnson, Porzingis, and Kennard are expected to return, while Alexander-Walker remains out. On the Clippers’ side, Kawhi Leonard and Bradley Beal are both ruled out, giving the Hawks a slight edge in terms of available talent.
The starting lineups for tonight’s game reflect these absences and returns. The Hawks will go with Keaton Wallace and Dyson Daniels in the backcourt, Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson at forward, and Kristaps Porzingis at center. For the Clippers, James Harden and Kris Dunn will handle the guards, Derrick Jones Jr. and John Collins are at forward, and Ivica Zubac anchors the middle.
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Looking deeper into team performance, Atlanta’s offense has been middling through the first ten games of the season. They rank 20th in points, 15th in field goal percentage, and 22nd in offensive rating, but their playmaking has been a strong point—they rank 5th in assists per game. Defensively, Atlanta has been more impressive, allowing the ninth-most points per game and ranking in the top ten in several defensive metrics including steals.
The Clippers, traditionally known for strong offense led by Harden, Leonard, and Zubac, have struggled this year, ranking 28th in points per game and 21st in offensive rating. Defensively, they remain solid in traditional stats, but advanced metrics show them sitting at 27th in defensive rating.
Key players to watch include John Collins, who has been in great form recently and could surpass 15 points tonight, and Dyson Daniels, who has been picking up the offensive slack in the absence of Young and Alexander-Walker. Kristaps Porzingis, while back in the lineup, may stay under 1.5 three-pointers made, given his reduced role without Young running the point.
The game promises to be competitive, with the Clippers favored by 4.5 points on DraftKings and the total set at 220.5. With both teams navigating injury challenges and rotations adjusting, it will be fascinating to see who can seize control and carry their team to victory tonight.
Atlanta will be looking to extend their momentum from a 20-point win over the Lakers, while the Clippers aim to snap a four-game losing streak. Regardless of the outcome, tonight’s matchup should offer plenty of excitement and key performances worth watching.
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