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Atlanta Hawks Announce Starting Lineup For Tonight's Game vs The Grizzlies

Originally posted on Atlanta Hawks on SI
By Jackson Caudell | Last updated Dec 23, 2023 7:15 PM ET

The big question mark for the Hawks was about the status of Dejounte Murray, who came into the game listed as questionable with a right forearm contusion. Murray was just announced available, which is huge for the Hawks's chances tonight.

With Dejounte Murray in and De'Andre Hunter out, Atlanta is going with the same starting lineup it did last night vs the Heat.

Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Garrison Matthews, Saddiq Bey, and Clint Capela are going to be the first five on the floor for Atlanta.

Jalen Johnson, De'Andre Hunter, Mouhamed Gueye, and AJ Griffin remain out, but Onyeka Okongwu, Vit Krecj, and rookie guard Kobe Bufkin are available tonight. Bufkin has spent the last several weeks on the injury report with a thumb injury but is available tonight and could play.

Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Bismack Biyombo.

Atlanta is third in the NBA in PPG, 16th in field goal percentage, 9th in three-point percentage, 4th in offensive rebounding, and 16th in turnovers. They shredded the Rocket's elite defense the other night and looked like they were going to be able to take down the Heat on the road, but they fell short.

Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 4th in points per 100 possessions, 13th in effective field goal percentage, 11th in turnover percentage, 4th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 10th in free throw rate.

Memphis has the reigning defensive player of the year in Jackson Jr and they are currently 10th in PPG allowed, 5th in field goal percentage, but 29th in three-point percentage. The Hawks are one of the best three-point shooting teams in the NBA and they could take advantage of that weakness on Memphis.

Per Cleaning the Glass, Memphis is 9th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 14th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

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This article first appeared on Atlanta Hawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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