After suffering a disappointing defeat at home against the Miami Heat, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves gearing up for an essential stretch of games at home against some of the league’s lower-tier teams. The Hawks will host the Brooklyn Nets, who have lost three consecutive games and have only managed to win 15 times this season.
With nine of their next ten games taking place at the State Farm Arena, the Hawks have a prime opportunity to regain their momentum and push for a position above the .500 mark in the standings. This upcoming matchup is crucial if they plan to make a significant move up the NBA rankings.
This game represents the second meeting in a four-game season series between Atlanta and Brooklyn, the Hawks having previously won the first encounter on October 29 in Brooklyn. In that match, Onyeka Okongwu delivered a solid performance with a double-double, contributing 12 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Johnson led the scoring with 23 points. The Hawks have triumphed in three of their last four contests against the Nets, including two consecutive victories.
Jalen Johnson has been a standout performer, having achieved his 11th triple-double of the season during the team’s last game against Miami, marking a franchise record for the most triple-doubles in a single season. His impressive stats include 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists over 35 minutes. Johnson’s current season averages of 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists place him among the elite players in the league, sharing an exclusive group with only Nikola Jokic achieving similar numbers.
In addition to Johnson, CJ McCollum also made headlines in the game against Miami, scoring 20 points and showcasing impressive shooting skills. Since becoming a bench player, McCollum has been leading all NBA reserves in points per game since January 11. His career total has now surpassed 16,400 points, pushing him up the all-time scoring list.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker also contributed significantly, achieving his 31st 20-point performance of the season, while Onyeka Okongwu added 22 points to his tally, solidifying his position among the franchise’s all-time shot-blockers.
With the Hawks looking to capitalize on their home-court advantage and regain their winning ways, the expectation is for them to secure a confident victory against a struggling Nets team. The projected outcome favors Atlanta, with a predicted final score of 115-101. The momentum gained during this crucial home stretch could prove pivotal for their playoff aspirations as the season continues.