Pelicans Struggling with Injuries as Hawks Aim for Fourth Straight Win
Pelicans vs. Hawks Preview: Can New Orleans Overcome Injuries? Atlanta Targets 4th Straight Win
The Atlanta Hawks (10-11) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (4-16) on Sunday in a game that highlights the Pelicans’ ongoing struggles with injuries and the Hawks’ push for a fourth consecutive victory. Atlanta comes into the game following a 126-111 win over New Orleans earlier this season, with the Hawks emerging as a one-point favorite in their November matchup.
As of now, the Pelicans are navigating a turbulent season, with multiple key players sidelined. Meanwhile, the Hawks are looking to build on their recent momentum and extend their winning streak.
Injuries Continue to Haunt the Pelicans’ Season
The New Orleans Pelicans are currently mired in a 13-1 slump, having lost 13 of their last 14 games. Their most recent setback came at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, who handed them a 120-109 loss on Friday, extending their losing streak to seven games. A significant factor in New Orleans’ struggles has been their inability to stay healthy.
Zion Williamson, the team’s leading scorer (22.7 PPG), has missed 14 games so far this season, and there is no clear timeline for his return. Alongside him, key contributors like Brandon Ingram (22.9 PPG) have also been sidelined. Ingram, who has only played 16 games this season, is now dealing with a calf injury, which forced him to miss the team’s last three games and likely kept him out of the Sunday matchup against the New York Knicks.
In addition to these injuries, the Pelicans have been without CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, and Jose Alvarado for a combined 52 games this season. Despite this, McCollum stepped up in the Memphis loss, scoring 30 points, while DeJounte Murray and Trey Murphy III each added 21 points.
Injuries have crippled New Orleans’ ability to perform on both ends of the floor. The Pelicans are currently ranked 28th in offensive efficiency and 27th in defensive efficiency, making them one of the least effective teams in the league. On the road, they’ve been particularly bad, posting a 2-8 record against the spread so far this season. Until they can get healthy, it’s hard to see them making significant improvements, especially against a strong Atlanta team.
Hawks Looking to Build on Recent Success
Despite a slow start to the season, the Atlanta Hawks are showing signs of life, having won three straight games. They recently defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in back-to-back games, including a double-digit victory on Friday. The Hawks followed that up with a 107-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, which pushed their record to 10-11 for the season.
Although they’ve been inconsistent overall, Atlanta has been much more reliable in recent games. However, their home record remains shaky, with the team posting a 3-7 mark against the spread at home. Despite these struggles, the Hawks have managed to stay competitive, largely thanks to the leadership of their star players.
Trae Young, the face of the franchise, is having another stellar season, averaging 21.4 points and 12.1 assists per game. Young’s ability to distribute the ball has been crucial, as he continues to elevate the play of his teammates. One of the standouts in Atlanta’s recent success has been Jalen Johnson, who is now second on the team in scoring with 20.1 points per game and leads the team in rebounds with 9.9 per game. Johnson had a massive game in their victory over the Hornets, posting 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Defensively, the Hawks rank in the middle of the pack, sitting at 19th in offensive efficiency and 20th in defensive efficiency. If they hope to make a deeper push this season, Atlanta will need to tighten up defensively and increase their consistency, particularly at home.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Pelicans face an uphill battle as they continue to struggle with injuries, while the Atlanta Hawks look to build on their momentum and claim their fourth straight win. While the Pelicans remain a dangerous team when healthy, their current injury-riddled lineup seems unlikely to overcome the Hawks, especially on the road. Look for Atlanta to capitalize on New Orleans’ defensive lapses and extend their winning streak with another dominant performance at home.
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