On Saturday, 03/22, the Atlanta Hawks (33-36) will host the Golden State Warriors(41-29) in an inter-conference Regular-Season match-up. The Hawks are in seventh place in the East, whereas the Warriors have built a decent hold in sixth spot in the West. Will the inconsistent Hawks pull off a surprise against the Stephen Curry Curry-less Dubs? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Hawks: Average like the last few years
The Atlanta Hawks will enter the affair after a thumping 32-point victory over the Charlotte Hornets as Trae Young scooped up 31 points. The win broke a familiar two-game losing streak, having logged a 4-game winning streak before that. Atlanta hasn’t evolved for the last three years and remains relegated to the Play-in tournament. Young has been phenomenal offensively and Dyson Daniels has been a revelation as his backcourt mate(league leader with 3 steals per game), but Atlanta’s frontline has been hollow without Jalen Johnson. They remain one of the worst defenses in the league, conceding 119 points per game(4th worst), and allowing opponents to make 14.1 triples per game(4th worst) on a 37.3% clip(3rd worst).
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Trae Young| SG: Dyson Daniels | SF: Mouahmed Guaye | PF: Zaccharie Risacher | C: Onyeka Okongwu
Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Caris LeVert and Clint Capela is UNCLEAR. Larry Nance Jr. is OUT and will be evaluated by the end of March. Jalen Johnson is OUT for the season.
Warriors: Stephen Curry’s injury a concern amid a surging spell
The Golden State Warriors will come into this affair after a 3-point win against the Toronto Raptors as Jimmy Butler hauled in a triple-double. The victory came at a hefty price as the team lost Stephen Curry to a serious tailbone injury but didn’t suffer any structural damage, and the picture around his availability will be clear on Monday. At any rate, It has put a sour taste to a 16-3 winning period since the arrival of Butler to the squad. He has elevated them on both ends and if Curry misses a long period, they can soak in his absence through the stellar two-way Wing. However, are the Warriors prepared for a deep postseason run if Curry is gone long-term? I doubt so.
Expected Starting Lineup
SG: Moses Moody | SG: Brandin Podziemski | SF: Jimmy Butler III | PF: Draymond Green | C: Quinten Post
Key Injuries/Updates: Stephen Curry is likely going to be OUT for a week at least.
The Warriors have comfortably gone past the 120-point mark regularly even when Curry has had off nights. Green has given some unprecedented offensive efforts lately while Kuminga’s return has boosted the offense as well. On the other hand, the Hawks’ defense regularly allows 120+ points or so, which can create a chance of a high-scoring affair. However, I expect the Warriors’ defense to dial in here too. Overall, expecting a total in the 230ish range.
Projected Predictions:
Trae Young to be held under 24.5 points: The dazzling guard has tallied an impressive 26.1 points per game in March, scoring 28 or more in five of the last seven games. However, I expect the Dubs’ defense to lock in here and hold him under 23 points.
Onyeka Okongwu to grab over 10.5 rebounds: The feisty center has nabbed 11.1 rebounds per game in December. I believe he will clasp 11-13 here.
Jimmy Butler to score over 24.5 points: The Warriors Wing has tallied around 17 PPG since his arrival to the Bay Area. He put up 24 when Curry last missed a game, I expect him to get over the mark this time.
Brandin Podziemski to score over 16.5 points: Podz is not having his best scoring season but has come into this own since Feb. Last time when Chef Curry was out, he put up 17 points. I believe he will be in 18-21 range here.
This Hawks can smell an opening with the opposition’s ace scorer out. However, the Dubs have enjoyed a newfound depth since Butler has become a part of their set-up. Thus, the Hawks may be in for a grinder here, a type of situation that suits Golden State. Overall, the Warriors may not look like clear-cut favorites here, but I expect them to pull one away from home.
Safe Spread Pick: Warriors -3.5 for +105 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: D. Ross Cameron- Imagn Images
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