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

Can Atlanta end its four-game losing streak tonight when they face the Raptors?

The Hawks are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and coming off of an embarrassing defensive effort against the Mavericks. Dallas guard Luka Doncic torched the Hawks for 73 points on 25-33 shooting and did not face much defensive resistance from the Hawks. 

The bad part for Atlanta is that their schedule is about to get really tough. This week, they face the Lakers, Suns, and Warriors, and then face the Clippers, Celtics, and 76ers next week. Atlanta currently sits at 18-27, but things might be getting worse. They are going to face a shorthanded Toronto team tonight and need to pick up a win here. 

This is the third time that these two teams have met this season, but the Raptors look different than they did in the first two. Toronto has shipped out OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Precious Achiuwa and added Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Bruce Brown. The two teams split the two games they played in Toronto.  

So who wins tonight in Atlanta? Let's break down the game. 

Game Preview

Dejounte Murray vs the Cavs / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Hawks injury report is fairly clean tonight and you can expect to see the same starting lineup and rotations. The Raptors however are going to be missing some key pieces for tonight's game. Quickley is out and center Jakob Poetl is doubtful. There is a reason the Hawks are favored in tonight's game and that has a lot to do with it. 

The Hawks come into the game 5th in PPG, 22nd in field goal percentage, 6th in three-point attempts, 18th in three-point percentage, 6th in free-throw attempts, 8th in rebounding, and 16th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 12th in points per 100 possessions, 20th in effective field goal percentage, 14th in turnover percentage, 4th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 8th in free throw rate. The Hawks take a lot of three-point shots, rebound the ball well, and get to the free-throw line. 

Trae Young has had one of the best seasons of his career so far and while he did not get a starter's spot in the All-Star game, he was deserving. He is averaging 27.0 PPG and 10.8 APG. 

Dejounte Murray, Jalen Johnson, and Bogdan Bogdanovic are the guys that have to produce for the Hawks. Johnson had a strong first half against the Mavericks but faded in the second half. He has been one of the most improved players in the NBA this season and will likely get the assignment to guard Scottie Barnes. 

Toronto has been known to be an elite defense through the past decade or so, but this is not one of those teams. The Raptors are 17th in PPG allowed, 23rd in field goal percentage allowed, 11th in three-point attempts allowed, and 24th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Raptors are 19th in points per 100 possessions allowed and 20th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

With Anunoby and Siakam traded and Quickley out, Toronto is going to have to rely on third-year forward Scottie Barnes and the newly acquired Barrett to carry their offense. Barnes is having a pretty good season, averaging 20.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 5.7 APG. Barrett is averaging 21.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 3.5 APG. 

The Raptors offense is very average. They are 18th in PPG, 10th in field goal percentage, 20th in three-point attempts, 24th in three-point percentage, 18th in free throw attempts, 12th in rebounding, and 12th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Raptors are 20th in points per 100 possessions, 16th in effective field goal percentage, 11th in turnover percentage, 17th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 24th in free throw rate. 

The Raptor's offense might not be one of the league's best, but they are going against the worst defense in the NBA. The Hawks are 29th in PPG allowed, 29th in field goal percentage allowed, 18th in three-point attempts allowed, and 27th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 29th in effective field goal rate allowed. The effort level on defense seems to have gone down in the past couple of weeks and Toronto has a chance to win tonight because of it. 

Injury Report

Mouhamed Gueye (right low back stress fracture), Bruno Fernando (Left Lower Back Spasms) De’Andre Hunter (right knee inflammation), and Vit Krejci (left shoulder subluxation) are all out for Atlanta.

Quickley is out, while Poetl is doubtful. 

Update: RJ Barrett has been added to the injury report with left knee swelling and listed as doubtful. 

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip-off time: 6:00 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 favorites at home tonight, as they are currently 6.5-point favorites according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 242.5. 

Stephen A. Smith Rips Into Atlanta Hawks Defense Against Luka Doncic "No Wonder Yall Stink!"

Hawks:

G- Trae Young

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Saddiq Bey

F- Jalen Johnson

C- Clint Capela

Raptors:

G- Dennis Schroder

G- Gary Trent

F- Scottie Barnes

F- Bruce Brown

C-Jontay Porter

With Barrett likely out of the lineup, I expect Bruce Brown might get the start for Toronto. 

Player to Watch on the Hawks- Clint Capela

The Raptors are not a very good rebounding team, nor are they a good three-point shooting team, meaning Capela could make a big difference tonight on the glass and protecting the rim. Toronto is going to attack the paint and try to expose the Hawks defense. Capela will have to respond and win in both areas. 

Player to watch on the Raptors- Scottie Barnes

With Quickley out, Barnes and Barett become the biggest threats on offense for Toronto. Barnes has taken a step this year in developing his all-around game and could have a huge night against this Hawks defense. 

Prediction

It is tough to pick the Hawks to win anything right now given their defense and the way they are playing. Toronto is short-handed, but they have Barnes and Barrett and they will be going up against the worst defense in the NBA. I think Toronto wins and extend the Hawks' losing streak. 

Final score: Raptors 119, Hawks 115

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