On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Atlanta Hawks (14-13) have not played a game since last Saturday's NBA Cup Semifinals game vs the Bucks and they should be well rested for tonight's trip to San Antonio. The Spurs (13-13) are a tough team to beat at home and this Spurs team is hoping to build toward a play-in/playoff run. San Antonio is coming off of a 14-point loss to Minnesota earlier in the week.
Coming into tonight's game, the Hawks are 9th in the NBA in PPG, 16th in FG%, 23rd in 3PA, 24th in 3P%, 3rd in FTA, 22nd in turnovers, and 4th in rebounding. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 17th in points per 100 possessions, 22nd in effective field goal percentage, 18th in turnover percentage, 6th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 13th in free throw rate.
Currently, the Hawks rank 27th in PPG allowed, 19th in field goal percentage allowed, 30th in three-point attempts allowed, and 30th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 15th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 25th in effective field goal percentage allowed.
The Spurs have a solid team profile on both ends of the court. San Antonio is 19th in PPG, 21st in FG%, 7th in 3PA, 22nd in 3P% 14th in FTA, 10th in rebounding, and18th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Spurs are 19th in points per 100 possessions, 21st in effective field goal percentage, 17th in turnover percentage, 16th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 10th in free throw rate.
Defensively, the numbers are solid and that of course is in large part due to Victor Wembanyama, who is the current favorite for defensive player of the year. San Antonio is 15th in PPG allowed, 16th in FG% allowed,, 10th in 3PA allowed, and 12th in 3P% allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Spurs are 19th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 14th in effective field goal percentage.
Offensively, this is interesting matchup for the Hawks. The Hawks are not a team that shoots a lot of threes and they don't make a high percentage of them, but they will need to be better at that tonight. While Atlanta likes getting to the rim and shooting at the rim, they are facing one of the premier shot blockers and paint protectors in the NBA with Wembanyama. The Hawks have to generate good looks from three and take plenty of them.
Trae Young is leading the Hawks attack and he has had big games vs the Spurs in the past. He is coming off of a 35-point, 10 assist performance vs the Bucks, perhaps his best game of the season. He shot 9-18 from the field and 3-5 from three last Saturday and that is a good sign because while Young leads the league in assists, his shooting numbers are down.
Dyson Daniels spearheads the Hawks defense, but this is a rare matchup where who he guards is not obvious. Daniels is one of the premier perimeter defenders and usually guards the opposing team's best guard, but the Spurs don't have a star player at guard. Daniels is still developing his offensive game, but he is going to be a handful for anyone on the Spurs to deal with tonight.
Zaccharie Risacher is still developing, but the rookie shows flashes when he is on the court. He has not been getting heavy minutes right now and that could be due to his shot not falling. Risacher is solid on defense, but he can be hard to have out there when the shot isn't going in. In 16:50 of game action last Saturday, Risacher scored two points on only three shot attempts. The Hawks have to shoot well tonight from three and he could be a part of that.
Jalen Johnson has had a very good season for the Hawks, but is coming off of a tough game vs the Bucks. He shot only 6-15 from the field and 0-4 in his last game, but still managed to post 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Clint Capela has had a very underrated season as a rebounder and defensive presence. He might not be playing at his level he played during the Hawks run to the Eastern Conference Finals, but he is still good. He is going to have his hands full with Victor Wembanyama tonight and needs to keep him from dominating the glass.
The Hawks bench has a major advantage of the Spurs on paper. De'Andre Hunter is having a season worthy of 6th man of the year consideration. He is currently the Hawks third leading scorer, averaging 19.3 PPG on 47% shooting from the field and 45% from three. He has thrived in his role coming off of the bench and is a huge reason for the Hawks recent surge.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Larry Nance, and Vit Krejci are the other guys I expect off the bench for the Hawks tonight. Bogdanovic is key for the Hawks in every game because he is one of their best shooters. When he does not perform well, it hurts the Hawks. Krejci's role is probably cemented now that Kobe Bufkin is out for the season. How many minutes he plays though is unclear.
Odds
According to Fanduel Sportsbook, San Antonio is a one-point favorite tonight and the total is set at 233.5
Prediction
San Antonio is a hard place to win and historically has been a tough place for the Hawks to win. This Spurs team plays much better at home than they do on the road and this is going to be a stiff test for Atlanta. Their three-point shooting is going to be vital tonight because Wembanyama does such a great job at protecting the rim and altering shots. After five nights off, the Hawks will be well rested and ready for a tough battle on the road and I think they come out on top.
Final Score: Hawks 115, Spurs 111
Additional Links
One of The Biggest Winners Of The NBA Cup? Look No Further Than The Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks 6th Man Of The Year Candidate Linked To Denver Nuggets In New Major Trade Rumor
More must-reads:
- Luka Doncic played role in recruiting Marcus Smart to Lakers
- LeBron James proposes an intriguing NBA change
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Bulls Executive Gets Honest On Josh Giddey's Contract Negotiation
The Chicago Bulls have a promising future, with an All-Star caliber backcourt in Josh Giddey and Coby White, as well as promising young wings in Matas Buzelis and recently drafted Noa Essengue. However, the problem lies in the long-term future of this roster, with Giddey still a restricted free agent after several weeks of free agency. Giddey had a strong end of the season, averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists while leading the Bulls to a 12-7 record in his final 19 games of the season. After being acquired last offseason for Alex Caruso, the deal has seemed to pay off for both sides. However, a new contract has yet to be signed, as a Bulls executive got honest on the situation. "We want to get a deal done with Josh. He’s as important of a player as we have," a Bulls executive told Keith Smith of Spotrac. "We see him as a foundational player for us. I hope we can find a deal that makes sense for us and him and that we’ll be together for a long time.” Based on reports, it appears as though Giddey and his camp are seeking a deal closer to $30 million annually, in the range of Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs. However, the Bulls are looking to strike a deal closer to $20 million, which could put him in the same range as someone like Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter or even Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. It's a bad summer to be a restricted free agent, as has been the case for Golden State's Jonathan Kuminga, Brooklyn's Cam Thomas, Philadelphia's Quentin Grimes, and, of course, Giddey. There's no telling how long all of these players' contract negotiations will last, but no teams out there have the cap space to extend them offer sheets.
Maple Leafs continue to play moneyball: Three big names in play
With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
MLB's midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning. Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak. He's appeared in 101 of L.A.'s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he'll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers. Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase. Also helping Ohtani's case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts. Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression. While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn't need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he's already in postseason form.
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
The Chicago Blackhawks, a crowded goaltending situation and trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers have fans wondering if the Stars' rivals could soon upgrade their crease before training camp. With training camp approaching, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has five goalies under contract, including Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso, newly signed Stanislav Berezhnoy, and veteran Laurent Brossoit. Only two NHL roster spots are available, which has fueled speculation that Brossoit could be moved to a contender, with Edmonton emerging as a leading candidate. For Stars fans, seeing the Oilers potentially bolster their crease should raise eyebrows. Edmonton, fresh off a deep playoff run, is looking to avoid the same issues that hurt them late in the postseason. "The Blackhawks have too many goalies and not enough spots, and Brossoit's contract and experience make him a natural trade chip for a team like the Oilers."-Julien Trekker Chicago's goalie logjam and Berezhnoy's recent signing are detailed further at NHL.com. Dallas could see its rival upgrade as Blackhawks explore trading Laurent Brossoit Brossoit, 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit for one more season. Drafted by Calgary in 2011, he's appeared in 140 NHL games, including time with Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While Chicago decides, Drew Commesso continues to push for NHL time after posting a .911 save percentage over 39 AHL games. For a deeper look at Commesso's performance, his full profile is on Elite Prospects. I think if Edmonton lands Brossoit or even Commesso, Dallas may have to plan around a deeper Oilers team come playoff time, especially given how tight the Western race looks on paper.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
