Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers Preview
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Preview
On the surface, tonight's game between the Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers looks like a matchup between two middling teams. However, there is a lot on the line in tonight's nationally-televised matchup.
Atlanta has a .500 record and is eighth in the Eastern Conference, while Portland's sub-.500 record puts them at 12th in the Western Conference. Both teams need a win to improve their postseason outlook.
Even better, there is no love lost between these two teams. Last year, they split the season series, while Trae Young tallied 56 and 46 points, respectively, in each game. Now factor in Damian Lillard, who hasn't played Atlanta since May 2021 and is coming off the most efficient 60-point game in the history of the NBA.
With Lillard at the helm, Portland has the seventh-best offensive rating in the league and is top ten in every outside shooting metric. Meanwhile, Atlanta has lost three of their last four games and is 23rd in net rating.
Atlanta cannot afford to overlook any opponent during their grueling five-game west coast road trip. The team does not arrive home until February 8 - just one day before the trade deadline. Tonight's game has serious postseason and trade deadline implications.
Injury Report
Portland's injury report lists Jusuf Nurkic (calf soreness) and Josh Hart (hamstring tightness) as questionable. Additionally, Justice Winslow (ankle sprain) is out for tonight's game.
Atlanta's injury report lists Trae Young (ankle soreness) as questionable.
Odds
Spread: Hawks (+2.5)
Over/Under Point Total: 236.5
Money Line: Hawks (+115) Trail Blazers (-138)
*Odds provided by SI Sportsbook
Television, Streaming, & Radio
Location: Moda Center
Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
Radio: 92.9 FM The Game
Network: NBA TV
Live Stream: Click here for a fuboTV free trial!
Uniforms
The Atlanta Hawks will wear their Icon Edition uniforms (red). The Portland Trail Blazers will wear their Icon Edition uniforms (black).
