This is a revenge game for Atlanta, which lost at home to the Lakers in their first meeting this season, 123-116. But getting the offense going should be the main agenda for the Hawks tonight, as they’ve lost four of their last five games (1-4 ATS)—a stretch in which the team is averaging just 89.6 points per contest.
In their latest loss to Utah on Friday night, the Hawks offense severely struggled, putting up a season-low of 68 points on a collective 31.3 percent shooting. At the same time, the defense also couldn’t get the necessary stops and eventually allowed the Jazz to cruise one of their easiest wins of the year.
However, Atlanta will likely find its touch against a porous Lakers defense that’s given up 109 or more points in its last seven games, including 149 points to the Warriors last Wednesday.
Paul Millsap (16.6 PPG), Dennis Schroder (14.3 PPG), Dwight Howard (14.1 PPG), the Hawks’ leading scorers this season, are all in line for a productive night later. Howard finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds in the first game with LA, while Millsap and Schroder pitched in 10 and 11 points, respectively.
Injuries and defense have hindered the growth of the young Lakers, who have lost five of their last seven games (1-5-1 ATS), including both games of a three-day, home-and-home series with Golden State.
D’Angelo Russell (knee), Julius Randle (hip) and Nick Young (toe) were all missed in Friday’s 109-85 loss to the defending champs. Head coach Luke Walton was forced to start Jordan Clarkson, who led the team with 20 points and a career-high five steals and Brandon Ingram, who had a horrible shoot night (3-of-18 from the field).
Lou Williams, meanwhile, wasn’t much of a factor as he finished with just 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting along with four turnovers off the bench.
On the other side of the court, the Lakers defense continues to get dominated by opponents, allowing 111.9 points per game, among the highest in the NBA.
Young and Randle, though, are hopeful to return to in tonight’s final regular-season meeting with Atlanta. Those two have been key sources of points and energy in the purple and gold offense, which is averaging nearly 110 points per contest.
Even with those two back, the Lakers still haven’t really figured out how to play good, consistent defense—a weakness that the Hawks will capitalize on.
Writer’s Prediction
Atlanta bounces back, beating the shorthanded Lakers, 115-108.
