NBA: Atlanta Hawks vs. LA Clippers Preview, Odds, Prediction

The LA Clippers didn’t have much time to prepare for the Atlanta Hawks following last night’s loss against the Grizzlies. The schedule is tight and relentless, but that is normal in the NBA. These two sides aren’t in good shape and are both under the .500 mark. Last year, they would reach their respective conference finals, presenting a solid problem for the rivals. However, both the Hawks and the Clippers can’t find the proper rhythm in 2021/22. Injuries, COVID-19 issues, as well as some other factors, are all troubling these crews.

Preview

Atlanta Hawks (17-21, -210) are on the road for the last five games. They didn’t see the home in 2022, due to a very tough schedule. During these five events, the Hawks won twice and lost three times. The victorious stops were in Cleveland and Sacramento, while the losses came against the Bulls, Trail Blazers, and the LA Lakers.

The most recent contest was in LA. After a relatively close first half, the Hawks stopped in the third quarter, which was enough for LeBron and the LAL to get away to a safe distance and keep the gap afterward.

Trae Young had a team-high 25 points with 14 assists and was one board short of a triple-double. John Collins scored 21 points and eight boards, while Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 15 points, hitting four threes. Kevin Huerter had 16 off the bench, Gallinari 12, and Okongwy 12. We need to say that the Hawks are almost complete now as most of the key players cleared their health statuses.

LA Clippers (19-21, +175) lost the last three games, two of them at home. The first was against the Minnesota Timberwolves; after that, the Suns beat them in Phoenix, before suffering a defeat in LA to Memphis, 123-108.

The Clips opened the game strong, winning the first quarter 36-28, hitting shots in series, and imposing a very fast pace. That hit them back like a boomerang because the Grizzlies shifted into a higher gear, winning the second period, 38-20, and taking over the control of the game from that moment on.

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 29 points, and he’s been the leader of the Clippers in scoring over the past few events. Reggie Jackson had 18, while Brandon Boston Jr. added 13 off the bench.

Head to Head Games

This is the first game between the Hawks and the Clippers in the 2021/22 season. During the previous campaign, the two sides split one win each, utilizing the home-court advantage. Atlanta was better at home 108-99, while the Clippers took down the rivals at the Staples Center, 119-110.

Prediction

The Hawks are getting stronger and stronger in terms of completing their lineup, which was massacred due to injuries and COVID-19 infections. Meanwhile, the Clippers are in problems. With all due respect, you aren’t a playoff team if Morris is your top scorer. Just wait for a moment and think about that. We are siding with the Hawks in this one, as they not only have the perfect chance to notch another road win but also to boost their morale a little bit and make this really hard road trip a successful one.

Pick: Hawks