The San Antonio Spurs visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night in a game that could mark the debut of De’Aaron Fox for the Spurs. The game will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. San Antonio is 21-26 on the season, while the Hawks are 23-27.
These teams have already met once this season, with San Antonio taking a 133-126 overtime win at home on December 19. The Hawks are coming off a 132-130 victory over the Detroit Pistons, while the Spurs fell 128-109 to the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams are looking to improve their playoff chances as the trade deadline approaches.
Hawks Preview – Can They Keep the Offense Rolling?
Atlanta has relied on its offense this season, ranking 16th in the league with 112.5 points per game. Trae Young continues to lead the team, scoring 34 points in their last game. The Hawks are also getting solid contributions from rookie Zaccharie Risacher, who has averaged 21.3 points over his last three games.
Defense has been a struggle for Atlanta, as they rank 28th in points allowed, giving up 119.0 per game. They have also struggled to defend the three-point shot, allowing opponents to shoot 37.2% from beyond the arc. Without Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela, their frontcourt depth is thin.
One bright spot for Atlanta has been Dyson Daniels, who leads the league in steals this season. He has averaged 14.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over his last 16 games. His defense will be key against a Spurs team that plays at a fast pace.
Spurs Preview – Fox and Wembanyama Make Their Debut?
The Spurs have struggled this season, but they hope the addition of Fox can turn things around. Fox is averaging 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season. He will pair with Victor Wembanyama, who is coming off a 27-point, 10-rebound game against Memphis.
San Antonio’s offense ranks 16th in the league, shooting 45.8% from the field. They have been inconsistent from three-point range, hitting 35.0% of their attempts. The Spurs also struggle defensively, ranking 27th in opponent field goal percentage at 48.0%.
Wembanyama has been a bright spot for the team, averaging 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell have also stepped up, with Castle scoring 21 points in the last game. The key for San Antonio will be how quickly Fox adjusts to his new team.
Betting Prediction
The Spurs are favored by 4.5 points, with the total set at 242.5. San Antonio won the last meeting between these teams in overtime, and with Fox in the lineup, they could have the edge again. Atlanta has struggled on defense and will be missing key players.
The Hawks have been strong at home but have failed to cover the spread in 46 of their last 80 games. The Spurs have been a good third-quarter team, hitting the third-quarter moneyline in 46 of their last 79 games. Expect a high-scoring game, but Atlanta should cover the spread.
Pick: Atlanta Hawks +4.5
