Hawks vs Kings: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

Can Atlanta snap its three-game losing streak tonight when they play the Kings?

After having a couple of days off, the Atlanta Hawks are back in action tonight against the Sacramento Kings. The Hawks are on a three-game losing streak right now and out of the playoff picture, but this represents an opportunity to get back in the win column. 

The Kings are struggling themselves coming into this game. They have lost three of the last four games and are coming off a blowout loss to the Blazers. Star point guard De'Aaron Fox scored a season-high 43 points, but the Kings could not stop the Blazers. This is going to be a game that features two of the NBA's best offenses and could be a high-scoring game. 

So who wins tonight's game at State Farm Arena? Let's preview the game and make a prediction. 

Game Preview

Trae Young vs the Nets / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Per Cleaning the Glass Atlanta is 5th in the NBA in points per 100 possessions, 13th in effective field goal percentage, 13th in turnover percentage, 4th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 12th in free throw rate. 

The Hawks are 3rd in points per game, 17th in field goal percentage, 12th in three-point percentage, 3rd in offensive rebounding, 12th in free throw rate, and 16th in turnovers. 

When you watch the Hawks, it is not always one of the prettiest styles to watch, but they find a way to get it done. 

Trae Young is playing some of the best basketball of his career and just had his streak of seven consecutive games of at least 30 points and 10 assists end. He is second in the NBA in assists, behind Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, and is shooting the ball much better than he did at the beginning of the year. He is one of the NBA's best playmakers and does a tremendous job of getting his teammates set up. Against a Kings defense that is not one of the NBA's best, Young could have a big game tonight. 

Dejounte Murray is averaging 20.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 4.5 RPG this season. Murray has had some inconsistencies but has been a reliable part of the lineup this season. 

Dejounte Murray vs the Pistons / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Johnson had a pretty good first game back. After missing a month, He played 29 minutes and scored 10 points, had nine rebounds, and also had four assists in his return to action. His impact cannot be understated and having him back on the court is a reason that Hawks can be optimistic about a potential turnaround this season. 

The bench is one area where Atlanta might have an advantage over the Kings. Bogdan Bogdanovic has had a tough couple of games lately but has arguably been the best bench player in the NBA this season. He could have a lot of success against his old team tonight. Onyeka Okongwu is another key piece off the bench. 

Second-year forward AJ Griffin has been away from the Hawks for personal reasons and has not suited up in a Hawks uniform since Atlanta played the Denver Nuggets at home on Monday, Dec. 11th.

Yesterday, the Hawks made Griffin available for the first time, and here is what he had to say to the AJC's Lauren Williams:

"Yeah, I would say that I am glad to be back. The team has been great to be able to support me through that time stepping away for a little, just for personal reasons. I definitely want to keep it brief and not put it all out there."

I am interested to see if Griffin can find his way back into the rotation. De'Andre Hunter is going to be out for at least the next couple of weeks and Atlanta's other options at that spot (Garrison Matthews and Wesley Matthews) have not played well when given the opportunity. Atlanta has also tried rookie Seth Lundy, but he was injured in Tuesday's game vs the Chicago Bulls.

Hawks forward AJ Griffin / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The defense is where many around the NBA have questions about the Kings. Per Cleaning the Glass, Sacramento is 23rd in points allowed per 100 possessions and 24th in effective field goal percentage allowed. They are 22nd in PPG allowed, 24th in field goal percentage allowed, and 26th in three-point percentage allowed. They are better on defense than they were last season, but they are still below average overall. 

On the other side is De'Aaron Fox, who is one of the most clutch players in the NBA and one of the league's best players in transition. Fox is currently the NBA's 5th leading scorer. Per Cleaning the Glass, Sacramento is 12th in points per 100 possessions, 8th in effective field goal percentage, and 12th in turnover percentage.

Sacramento is 8th in the NBA in PPG, 16th in field goal percentage, 18th in three-point percentage, 20th in offensive rebounding, and 11th in turnovers. 

Domantas Sabonis is one of the NBA's best rebounders and best passing big men. He is always a vocal part of the offense and the Kings do a lot of stuff through him. 

Keegan Murray has taken a huge step forward this year and is one of the better players on the Kings. The second-year forward from Iowa is the third leading scorer on the Kings, averaging 15.8 PPG and 5.4 RPG, while shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.6% from three. 

The Kings have one of the NBA's best offenses and the Hawks have one of the NBA's worst defenses. Atlanta is 27th in PPG allowed, 28th in field goal percentage allowed, and 26th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 26th in points per 100 possessions allowed and 27th in effective field goal percentage allowed. They have a hard time stopping even the worst offensive teams in the NBA, let alone one of the best like the Kings have. 

Former Hawks Kevin Huerter is also going to be making a trip back to State Farm Arena. 

Injury Report

For the Hawks, De'Andre Hunter, Mouhamed Gueye, and Seth Lundy are all out tonight. 

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip-off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be underdogs at home tonight, as they are currently 1.5-point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 251.5

Projected Starting Lineups

Dejounte Murray vs the Pistons / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Saddiq Bey

F- Jalen Johnson

C- Clint Capela

Kings:

G- De'Aaron Fox

G- Kevin Huerter

F- Harrison Barnes

F- Keegan Murray

C- Domantas Sabonis

Player to Watch on the Hawks- Bogdan Bogdanovic

Bogdanovic has been struggling to shoot the ball lately and had perhaps his worst game of the year on Tuesday against the Bulls. Bogdanovic has arguably been the NBA's best scorer off the bench, but Atlanta has a hard time winning when he has off games like that. 

Player to Watch on the Kings- Keegan Murray

Murray has been phenomenal this season and his emergence could mean big things for the Kings this season. His ability to stretch the floor and defend has been huge for the Kings this season and the Hawks are going to make sure that he does not get going tonight. 

Prediction

Neither comes into this game playing that well, but the game is at home, and with Johnson coming back, I think he will bring energy and versatility to this matchup and Young will find a way to spark this offense tonight against the King's defense. Atlanta gets a win going into their matchup on Sunday with the Wizards. 

Final Score: Hawks 125, Kings 121

Despite Their Records, the Hawks and The Kings are not That Dissimilar

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