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

If it feels like the Raptors and the Hawks just played, it's because they did. Toronto defeated Atlanta on Wednesday night, handing Atlanta their fifth straight loss and passing them in the Eastern Conference Standings.

For the third straight game, De'Andre Hunter is questionable. He missed Wednesday's game and the Monday night game vs the Nuggets. His absence has caused a lot of defensive issues for Atlanta, as shown in both games. Toronto has a lot of size with OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, and Pascal Siakam, and the Raptors were backing the Hawks down in the paint and shooting over them.

So will the result be different tonight? Let's preview the game.

Game Preview

I wrote in Wednesday's preview about how the Raptors were one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA, including the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA. But as I said, the Hawks's defense is the cure to any shooting ailments any opposing team may have. That was the case on Wednesday and if Hunter can't play tonight, I am worried that will be the case again due to the size advantage that Toronto possesses.

Toronto came into the game as the worst team in the NBA in three-point percentage, but they had the benefit of going against one of the NBA's worst defenses tonight and they took full advantage.

Toronto shot 57.5% from the field and 52.9% from three in this game. Pascal Siakam had a good night with 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Scottie Barnes had 27 points on 11-14 shooting and OG Anunoby had 22 points on 10-13 shooting.

With Hunter and Johnson out, I thought Toronto would have a size and athleticism advantage over the Hawks, but I did not envision those three having that kind of a night. Hawks head coach Quin Snyder talked about this after the game:

.@BrianOliver1313 asked Snyder about Barnes backing posting Hawks guards.

"They're going to make some shots over us when we're 6-1, 6-4, 6-5. I want to give our guys credit for competing...We're helping each other more, and that's one of the reasons they were getting some 3s."
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) December 14, 2023

If Hunter is unable to play, Atlanta is going to have to get more from its supporting cast.

Young had a great performance with 35 points and 17 assists and Bogdanovic had another 20-point game, but that was it.

But the Hawks could not get much from any of the other starters. Murray hit two late shots to get himself up to 20 points, but it was not a great night for him. Murray was a -17 when on the floor tonight, tied for the worst on the team with Clint Capela. Wesley Matthews was -11 in 14 minutes.

I thought the Hawks might give Seth Lundy his first minutes Wednesday with Hunter and AJ Griffin both out, but Lundy did not play at all. Griffin has already been ruled out and if Hunter is too, maybe Lundy makes his Hawks debut.

Injury Report

Hunter is once again questionable with right knee soreness. AJ Griffin, Kobe Bufkin, Mouhamed Gueye, and Jalen Johnson are all out.

Viewing and Betting Information

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

Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks are underdogs tonight, as they are 2.5 point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 242.5.

Projected Starting Lineups

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Wesley Matthews

F- Saddiq Bey

C- Clint Capela

Raptors

G- Dennis Schroder

G- OG Anunoby

F- Scottie Barnes

F- Pascal Siakam

C- Jakob Poetl

If Hunter is out, Wesley Matthews might get another start. Garrison Matthews got the start on Monday and Wesley Matthews got the start on Wednesday. Head coach Quin Snyder could change the lineup again, but I would bet Wesley Matthews gets the start if Hunter is out.

Player To Watch On the Hawks- Dejounte Murray

Murray did not have a great game on Wednesday and after a great start to the season, he has cooled off. With Johnson out and potentially Hunter as well, Murray has to play better and more consistently on both ends of the floor if the Hawks want to salvage their season.

Player to Watch on the Raptors- Scottie Barnes

Barnes had his way on offense whether it was shooting from the outside or backing players down in the paint. Barnes is the most versatile player on the Raptors in my opinion and given the Hawks's poor defense, he could have another big night.

Prediction

If Hunter is out, I just don't see the Hawks winning this game. Even if he does, Atlanta could lose because of their poor defense . The Raptors have a lot of advantages over the Hawks and are a matchup problem for Atlanta. Unfortunately, I think the Hawks are going to lose their sixth straight tonight.

Final Score: Raptors 124, Hawks 118

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