Hawks Face Trail Blazers, Aim for Fourth Consecutive Win

The Atlanta Hawks are set to clash with the Portland Trail Blazers in a pivotal game aimed at securing a fourth consecutive win. Scheduled for Thursday at 10 p.m. EST, this matchup occurs in Portland, Oregon.

Team Highlights

Both teams currently sit in the middle of their respective conferences, with Atlanta maintaining a record of 20-21, ranking ninth in the Eastern Conference. Conversely, Portland stands at 19-21, also in ninth place, but in the Western Conference.

Recent Performance

• Atlanta Hawks: 5-4 in the last 10 games, averaging 117.5 points, 42.2 rebounds, and 31.8 assists per game.
• Portland Trail Blazers: 7-3 in the last 10 games, averaging 113.9 points, 45.1 rebounds, and 25.0 assists per game.

Injury Report

Injuries are impacting both teams significantly:

• Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, Matisse Thybulle, Blake Wesley, and Damian Lillard are out. Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant are listed as day to day.
• Hawks: Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Zaccharie Risacher are day to day. N’Faly Dante is out for the season.

Key Statistics

Portland boasts a home record of 10-10 and ranks ninth in the league with 45.2 rebounds per game, led by Donovan Clingan’s impressive average of 10.7 rebounds. Atlanta, meanwhile, has a 13-11 record away from home and has managed a balanced performance with 12-12 in games decided by 10 or more points.

Player Performances

Each team has standout players contributing to their recent success:

• Trail Blazers: Donovan Clingan averages 11.1 points with a shooting percentage of 53.8%, while Shaedon Sharpe has elevated his game, averaging 20.1 points over the past 10 games.
• Hawks: Jalen Johnson is a key player, scoring 23.7 points per game and grabbing 10.3 rebounds on average. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is also noteworthy, averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers in his last 10 games.

Matchup Outlook

The Hawks will aim to exploit their three-point shooting advantage, making an average of 14.5 shots from beyond the arc, while the Trail Blazers allow 12.4. This game holds significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.

As the Hawks go for their fourth consecutive win, the outcome of this game could alter the landscape of both the Eastern and Western Conferences.