The Atlanta Hawks (22-20, 11-11 away) continue their California swing with a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers (27-16, 14-6 home) in a cross-conference clash. Atlanta took their first meeting against each other, a 108-99 victory at home on January 26th. Monday night’s tipoff is at 10 p.m. EST inside the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Clippers are a 6.5-point favorite over the Hawks, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta enter a new week with the chance to keep their eight-game winning streak alive. The Hawks have yet to lose in March, a string of wins that includes five-straight on the road. Atlanta took down the L.A. Lakers, 99-94, on Saturday night. The Hawks are fourth in the Eastern Conference, seven games back of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Hawks rank 15th in the league averaging 112.6 points per game behind 45.7% shooting from the field and 34.9% shooting from three. Defensively, Atlanta is ninth in the league, allowing opponents to score 110.5 points per game. The Hawks hold teams to 45.5% percent shooting from the floor and 34.5% from deep.
John Collins scored a game-high 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting for the Hawks in Saturday’s victory over the Lakers. Danillo Gallinari came off the bench to chip in 18 points, and Trae Young added 14. Atlanta had only eight turnovers in the contest while shooting 39.8% from the field and 35.1% from beyond the arc.
What to Know – Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers will try and win back-to-back contests for the first time since mid-February. Eight of L.A.’s last ten games have been on the road. Los Angeles won a home contest against the Charlotte Hornets Saturday night, 125-98. The Clippers sit fourth in the Western Conference standings, four games behind the Utah Jazz.
L.A. is ninth in the NBA, pouring in 114.7 points per game while shooting 48.3% from the floor and a league-best 41.3% from the three-point line. The Clippers surrender 109.3 points per game on defense, 47.0% shooting from the field, and 36.4% from three.
Seven players scored in double figures for the Clippers in Saturday’s victory, led by Paul George with 21 points. George added ten assists to his stat line. Kawhi Leonard netted 17 points, and Terance Mann supplied 16 points off the bench. The Clippers were successful on all 23 of their free-throw attempts and shot 52.3% from the field. Los Angeles kept their turnovers in check with only nine mishaps.
The Pick is In
To have a chance to win their ninth-straight basketball game, the Hawks will have to continue to shoot the ball efficiently and protect the ball. L.A. is a challenging opponent, but the Hawks have already shown this season that they can play with the Clippers and take them down. Trae Young scored a game-high 38 points the last time these two teams met, and we expect a bit of the same from the talented second-year guard. Although we see the Clippers ending the Hawks’ run of consecutive victories, look for Atlanta to cover here.
The Pick: Atlanta Hawks +6.5
