The Atlanta Hawks visit the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on Monday night at 8:00 PM ET. The Hawks are 9th in the Eastern Conference at 27-33, while the Grizzlies are 4th in the West with a 38-22 record. Memphis won the last matchup between these teams 128-112 on December 21, 2024.
The Hawks are coming off a 128-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, while the Grizzlies suffered a heartbreaking last-second loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Both teams will look to bounce back in this game.
Atlanta Hawks Preview – Can the Defense Improve?
Atlanta has struggled defensively, and head coach Quin Snyder was frustrated with the team’s lapses in their loss to Oklahoma City. The Hawks allowed too many open shots, an issue they must fix against a Grizzlies team that thrives in transition.
Onyeka Okongwu has been a bright spot for the Hawks, finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds against the Thunder. He has become a key presence in the paint, complementing Trae Young’s playmaking. Young had 19 points and 12 assists in that game but will need to be more efficient from the field.
With a record of 14-17 on the road, Atlanta needs to find a way to slow down Memphis’ offense. The Hawks rank 15th in field goal percentage (46.3%) but have been inconsistent defensively, ranking 25th in points allowed per game (116.7).
Memphis Grizzlies Preview – Can Morant Stay Healthy?
Ja Morant has regained his All-Star form after dealing with injuries the past two seasons. However, he missed Saturday’s game against San Antonio with shoulder soreness and is listed as day-to-day for this matchup. Before that, Morant had four straight 20-plus point games, including a 29-point performance against the Phoenix Suns.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has stepped up in a big way, scoring a season-high 42 points in the loss to the Spurs. The Grizzlies will rely on him heavily if Morant is unable to go. Jackson has been efficient, shooting 15-of-25 in his last game while also contributing defensively.
Memphis is 22-8 at home this season and ranks 5th in the NBA in scoring at 117.7 points per game. The Grizzlies will look to capitalize on Atlanta’s defensive struggles and push the pace early.
Betting Prediction
The Hawks have struggled on the road, and their defensive issues make them vulnerable against a high-powered Memphis team. If Morant plays, the Grizzlies should control the tempo and come away with the win. Even if he sits, Jackson and Desmond Bane provide enough scoring for Memphis to cover the spread.
Predicted score: Memphis 120, Atlanta 110. The Grizzlies should cover, and the total will likely stay UNDER.
Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -5, UNDER 236.5
Look for the Grizzlies to start getting healthier as the season goes along. There is a good chance they play with more energy in this game, and take care of an Atlanta team that is not playing with a ton of fire right now.
