The Atlanta Hawks stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a resounding 107-90 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. Five players scored in double figures for the Hawks who moved to within one game of the Toronto Raptors for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Leading the way for Atlanta in this all-important victory was Paul Millsap. The Hawks big man towered over the Grizzlies’ frontline, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 boards to record his 17th double-double of the season.
Things are bound to get, tougher, though, for the Hawks as standing in their way in their next game are the San Antonio Spurs. They have lost 18 of their last 20 games against the Spurs. The Hawks, however, can take comfort in the fact that they defeated San Antonio in their last meeting on January 1. Millsap scored 32 points in that encounter to help the Hawks snap their 11-game losing streak against the Spurs. He will look to replicate that performance against a San Antonio defense that’s allowing 98.3 points per game this season, second-fewest in the NBA.
The Hawks are 5-5 SU and ATS in their last 10 road games.
San Antonio pulled to within a half-game of the NBA’s top record with a commanding 107-85 victory over Golden State on Saturday. Patty Mills scored 21 points in a game that was devoid of star power. Already without Kevin Durant due to a knee injury, the Warriors opted to rest their fearsome foursome of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.
The Spurs also had their fair share of absences with Kawhi Leonard (concussion), Tony Parker (back) and Dejounte Murray (groin) missing the game due to injuries. What shocked them the most, though, was the news that LaMarcus Aldridge will be out for an indefinite period of time after experiencing minor heart arrhythmia. The five-time NBA champions showed their depth, however, in the win against Golden State with five San Antonio players still scoring in double figures.
Next up for San Antonio is a clash with Atlanta. The Spurs will fancy their chances against the Hawks as they have fared extremely well at home of late. The Spurs have won each of their last eight games at AT&T Center. Their latest home win against Sacramento was a thing of beauty with the San Antonio battling back from a gargantuan 28-point deficit. The Spurs have defeated the Hawks 18 straight times in San Antonio, dating back to a 109-89 defeat in 1997 at the Alamodome.
San Antonio is 9-1 SU and 4-6 ATS in its last 10 home games.
