Hawks vs Blazers: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

After one of the biggest comebacks in NBA history, the Atlanta Hawks will try to extend their winning streak to three games tonight when they host the Portland Trail Blazers. This is the second meeting between the two teams this year and Portland won the first matchup because of big games from Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton. It is possible that those two guys won’t play for the Blazers tonight and that would be a huge swing in this game. Atlanta is already down seven players and Portland has a lengthy injury report, which is common around this time for the NBA.

The Hawks are still in the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference and 1.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for 9th. Tonight’s game is another opportunity for the Hawks to try and pass Chicago for that spot and host them for a play-in game instead of going to Chicago to try and advance. The season is winding down and every game counts for Atlanta and they will be big favorites tonight at home. Can they avoid the disappointment of another loss to the Blazers?

Game Preview

The Hawks are coming off of an unbelievable night on offense, especially after the first quarter. After scoring only 22 points in the first quarter, Atlanta outshot Boston the rest of the way and it was a combined effort from the team. In most games, since Trae Young went down with an injury, the Hawks' offense has had to rely on Dejounte Murray having big games for them to have any sort of success. Murray has had great games vs Portland over the last few meetings, including 40 points in the game a couple of weeks ago. Murray is going to be the best player on the floor even if Ayton and Simons play tonight and he could be in for another big night vs Portland.

Bogdan Bogdanovic had his best game in a while on Monday vs the Celtics. He scored 22 points on 4-7 shooting and he can be the second best option on the floor when he is shooting the ball well. Portland does not have a strong defense and that could make way for another big night for Bogdanovic.

The two stars of the game for the Hawks on Monday night were their two starting forwards, Vit Krejci and De’Andre Hunter. Krejci scored 16 points, including 13 in the third quarter, and Hunter led the team with 24 points, including the dagger three to put the Hawks up four with under ten seconds left. Krejci seems to have grown comfortable in his role as a starter and his improvement is worth monitoring. Hunter has gone back to his usual starting role after being a bench player and he is playing the best basketball of his career right now, especially on offense.

Clint Capela and Bruno Fernando will man the center minutes for the Hawks tonight and Capela is coming off of a big night on both ends of the floor and another double-double. He struggled with Ayton in the last matchup. Fernando set his career high in points just two games ago vs Charlotte and has been a consistent force of energy when on the court.

The rest of the bench unit will likely consist of Garrison Matthews, Wesley Matthews and Trent Forrest, and possibly two-way contract Dylan Windler.

The Hawks come into this game 5th in PPG, 21st in field goal percentage, 7th in three-point attempts, 14th in three-point percentage, 6th free-throw attempts, 1st in offensive rebounding, and 13th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 9th in points per 100 possessions, 17th in effective field goal percentage, 9th in turnover percentage, 5th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 9th in free throw rate.

Portland does not offer much in the way of defense, even if everyone is healthy. The Blazers are 17th in PPG allowed, 25th in field goal percentage allowed, and 5th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Portland is 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 26th in effective field goal percentage.

It is hard to say where the offense for the Blazers is going to come from, even against the Hawks defense. Simons is out, Jerami Grant is doubtful, and Ayton is questionable. Portland could have to rely on rookie Scoot Henderson tonight and while he is talented, he probably can’t lead this Blazers team by himself.

Coming into the game, the Blazers are 28th in PPG, 29th in field goal percentage, 21st in three-point attempts, 24th in three-point percentage, 21st in free throw attempts, 5th in offensive rebounding an 28th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Portland is 28th in points per 100 possessions, 30th in effective field goal percentage, 27th in turnover percentage, 4th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 19th in free throw rate.

Could the Hawks allow a big game from the Portland offense, even if they are short-handed? The stats would say so. Atlanta is 27th in PPG allowed, 28th in field goal percentage allowed, and 28th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 30th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Injury Report

Saddiq Bey (left knee torn ACL), Kobe Bufkin (left big toe sprain), AJ Griffin (right ankle sprain), Mouhamed Gueye (right UCL sprain), Jalen Johnson (right ankle sprain), Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain), and Trae Young (left fifth finger torn ligament) are all out tomorrow vs Boston.

For Portland, Malcolm Brogdon (R Elbow Tendinitis), Shaedon Sharpe (G League - On Assignment) Anfernee Simons (L Knee Tendinitis), and Robert Williams III (R Knee Lig Tear) are all out tomorrow. Jerami Grant (R Hamstring Strain) is doubtful while Deandre Ayton (L Elbow Tendinitis) and Matisse Thybulle (R Ankle Impingement) are questionable.

Viewing and Betting information

Tip-off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast,

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be big favorites at home tonight, as they are currently 10.5 point favorites according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 214.5.

Projected Starting Lineups

Hawks:

G- Bogdan Bogdanovic

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Vit Krejci

F- De'Andre Hunter

C- Clint Capela

Blazers:

G- Scoot Henderson

G- Rayan Rupert

F-Toumani Camara

F- Kris Murray

C-Deandre Ayton