Hawks Aiming to Rebound After Recent Loss, Clippers Striving for Offensive Consistency
Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Atlanta Hawks (18-16) will head to Inglewood, California, to face the Los Angeles Clippers (19-15) in a cross-conference showdown at the Intuit Dome on Saturday, January 6, 2025. This game marks the first meeting of the season between these two teams, who split their two-matchup series last season, with each team securing a win on the road. Both teams are looking to rebound after recent struggles, making this game a critical clash as they look to find consistency.
Atlanta Hawks: Looking to Bounce Back After Setback
The Hawks come into this game with a 18-16 record but are coming off a tough loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday (139-120), which ended a four-game win streak. Against Denver, Atlanta’s defense was overwhelmed as the Nuggets shot an impressive 56.4% from the field and dished out 44 assists. The Hawks managed 45% shooting themselves but struggled with efficiency, especially from long range, hitting only 16 of 46 three-point attempts (34.8%).
At the helm for Atlanta is Trae Young, who continues to shine, despite the team’s recent defensive struggles. Young posted 30 points and 9 assists in the loss to Denver and is currently averaging 22.3 points and an NBA-leading 12.0 assists per game. His playmaking ability will be crucial as the Hawks look to regain their form on offense.
Offensively, Atlanta ranks 14th in the NBA, scoring 112.9 points per 100 possessions, but they have struggled defensively, allowing 114.4 points per 100 possessions (tied for 17th). If the Hawks are to win in LA, improving their defensive efficiency against a talented Clippers roster will be key. Their inability to stop Denver’s attack underscores the challenges they face on this end of the floor.
Los Angeles Clippers: Searching for Consistency
The Los Angeles Clippers are also in a bit of a slump, finishing a three-game road trip with a 1-2 straight-up (SU) and 0-3 against the spread (ATS) record. After securing a tight 116-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Clippers fell hard to the San Antonio Spurs (122-86) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (116-98). The latter loss to OKC saw the Clippers commit a whopping 20 turnovers, significantly limiting their offensive flow.
One of the key questions for the Clippers heading into this game is the availability of James Harden, who missed Thursday’s loss to the Thunder due to injury and remains questionable for Saturday’s matchup. Harden, who is averaging 21.9 points and 7.8 assists per game, has been a key acquisition for LA this season, and his presence will be crucial against a Hawks team that struggles defensively.
Norman Powell has stepped up recently, leading the Clippers with an average of 23.6 points per game, but struggled in the loss to OKC, finishing with just 6 points on 1-of-11 shooting. The Clippers have not been able to find offensive rhythm consistently, ranking 24th in the NBA in points scored per 100 possessions (110.3). However, they remain solid defensively, ranking 5th in points allowed per 100 possessions, giving up just 109.8.
The Clippers will need to clean up their turnovers and improve their shot selection, particularly with Powell and Harden leading the way. With a top-tier defense, they can stay competitive, but they need to become more efficient offensively to overcome the Hawks’ potent attack.
Conclusion
The Clippers have the advantage on defense, but their offensive struggles could make this a tight contest. With Trae Young leading the charge, the Hawks’ offense could be too much for LA’s defense, especially if James Harden is unavailable. However, if the Clippers can limit turnovers and find more offensive consistency, they have a shot at securing a home win.
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