Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets preview, prediction, pick, odds: Don't look for D in this one

Yardbarker Quick Pick

This is a matchup between two of the coldest teams on the hardwood. Atlanta has dropped five of its last six games, while Charlotte has lost six straight. The Hornets have beaten the Hawks in two straight meetings, and with LaMelo Ball back and easing into action, we're grabbing Charlotte here at -2.5. — Griffin Carroll, Yardbarker

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Friday, 7 p.m. ET
Atlanta Hawks: +2.5 (-105) spread, +124 moneyline, over 239.5 (-110)
@ Charlotte Hornets: -2.5 (+107) spread, -136 moneyline, under 239.5  (-106)

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"All we care about is scoring. That's it," Clifford said. "If you're going to play like that, you'd better have five All-Stars, and we don't have that kind of talent."

Charlotte, with its losing streak sitting at six games, surrendered a season-high point total Wednesday night, albeit in an overtime game, a 141-134 loss to visiting Detroit.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan had a similar tone regarding his team. Atlanta has lost five of its past six games, with its coach saying there haven't been enough connections within the team.

"Urgency, energy, scrappy play is something you have to bring every single night to the floor," McMillan said. "You can't wait until you're busted in the mouth before you respond."

Clifford said the Hornets need to improve their approach. He called out his team for not being determined enough in rebounding or in pursuing loose balls.

"It's not that we're not trying to win. It's that we go about it all wrong," he said. "It just doesn't work that way."

Atlanta isn't touting great defense either. It gave up its second-highest point total of the season in Wednesday night's 135-124 road loss to the Orlando Magic.

"This is not October, November where teams are still trying to play themselves into rhythm," McMillan said. "Teams have rhythms now. Guys are in shape. To not come out with that sense of urgency, there's no excuse for that."

For the Hornets, some of their good work has been wasted. That's what might be most disturbing.

"Five of the last seven games, we've been pretty good on offense," Clifford said. "We are playing no defense. Not one guy. There's not a bright spot. We don't run back on defense. We don't guard the ball."

He said the team moved into the middle of the NBA statistically in defense a few weeks ago. That progress has gone by the wayside.

"We're right back where we started (defensively). Ground zero," Clifford said. "You either build a game that will actually work at the end of the year when you play the important games, or you don't."

If there's a positive aspect for the Hornets, it could be that one of their seven victories this season came against Atlanta. That was an Oct. 23 road win, with Kelly Oubre Jr. pouring in 24 points.

The Hornets should have a boost with point guard LaMelo Ball back for his second game since his latest injury. He racked up 23 points and 11 assists in his return Wednesday night.

The Hawks could be looking at an injury situation from a different perspective. They lost center Clint Capela due to right calf tightness in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's game. His status for Friday's game hasn't been announced.