Spurs vs. Hawks GAMEDAY Preview: How to Watch, Injury Report, Betting Odds

The San Antonio Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon. Following their meltdown loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs look to bounce back at the AT&T Center.

Author:
Lance Roberson
Publish date:
Mar 19, 2023 10:55 AM EDT

In this story:

San Antonio Spurs

Losing during a rebuilding era is expected for the San Antonio Spurs. However, the crash-and-burn loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Friday night exposed the Spurs for what they are, nowhere near ready. Thankfully for the San Antonio faithful, the defenseless Atlanta Hawks are in town with a 5-5 record in their last 10 games.

Although the Spurs' recent 10-game stretch showed only a glimpse of inspiration, Atlanta's performance simultaneously embodies its overall season with a mediocre showing. Despite former Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder taking the lead on the bench, the Hawks have ways to go before they are close to their Eastern Conference Finals form.

Ranked last in opponents' effective field goal percentage, Atlanta allowed 58.6 percent in the previous 10 contests. Void of multiple wing defenders and filled with an average defensive frontcourt, the Hawks rely on their top-10 offensive rating. The undersized backcourt of Trae Young and former Spur Dejounte Murray will cause most of San Antonio's problems. Speaking of Murray, Sunday's contest is his first game back in the AT&T Center since the Hawks traded for the All-Star guard last summer.

However, opponents' points in the paint average is where the Spurs have a grain of advantage over the Hawks. In the last 10 games, the Hawks allowed their opposition to score 59 points in the painted area, the worst in the league in that stretch.

Conversely, the Hawks have the Spurs beat in points averaged in the paint, second chance points, and even pace. The only thing the Spurs have a significant lead in statistically is assists percentage, as they recorded 64.5 percent in such a category to Atlanta's 52.6 for the past 10 games.

With Young listed as questionable in the official NBA injury report, the Hawk's chances of overwhelming San Antonio dwindle. However, as the Spurs theme of the season continues, ailments and injuries dominate the day. In a season of historical losing proportions, dropping one to the mediocre Hawks at home seems like a plausible ending to Monday night's contest.

However miserable the beating, the fight in San Antonio's young bunch won't stop.