Preview: Clippers Clash with Hawks at State Farm Arena
The Los Angeles Clippers are gearing up for a compelling match against the Atlanta Hawks at the State Farm Arena. This encounter, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff on Monday, presents an intriguing narrative as both teams have been performing robustly in recent fixtures.
Clippers' Impressive Form
The Clippers arrive in Atlanta following a string of triumphant outcomes, securing victories in 11 of their past 13 games. Their current road stretch paints a picture of domination, boasting a remarkable 5-1 record. Their resilience was on full display during their latest conquest against the Miami Heat where they emerged victorious with a final score of 103-95.
Star players Kawhi Leonard and James Harden have been integral to the team's success; both made significant contributions by scoring over 20 points each in their last game. Leonard, in particular, has been on a hot streak, averaging 29.2 points over his last five appearances. Harden continues to orchestrate the Clippers' offense, leading the team with an average of 8.5 assists per game.
Hawks Soaring High
Not to be overshadowed, the Hawks are riding their own wave of momentum, entering the game on a four-game winning streak. Trae Young has been the maestro for Atlanta's offense, impressively scoring 35 points against the Golden State Warriors in their recent outing. Young has also been dishing out assists with remarkable consistency, maintaining a league-second-most average of 10.9 per game. His performance suggests he is more than capable of lighting up the scoreboard once again come Monday night.
As they look to confront the Clippers, the Hawks are considered slight underdogs with a 3-point spread. The current moneyline stands at +125 for Atlanta, hinting at a potentially lucrative opportunity for bettors confident in the Hawks' ability to overcome the odds.
Injury Updates and Team News
Ivica Zubac is set to make a return for the Clippers, which should bolster their frontcourt significantly. However, Moussa Diabate will still be sidelined. On the opposing bench, the Hawks will be without Clint Capela, who is currently recovering from an adductor strain. In his stead, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu are expected to shoulder the additional burden in the paint.
Furthermore, both Saddiq Bey and De'Andre Hunter's availability remains unclear, leaving some questions for the Hawks as they finalize their game preparations.
Statistical Showdown
Looking at the numbers, the Clippers boast the highest three-point conversion rate in the league, sinking shots from beyond the arc with a remarkable 39.4% efficiency. Given that Atlanta allows opponents a 38.6% conversion rate from three-point range, Los Angeles might find favorable shooting conditions.
Conversely, the Hawks have established themselves as the NBA’s top team in terms of crashing the boards, averaging a league-high 13.1 offensive rebounds per game. Their ability to dominate second-chance opportunities could prove pivotal in keeping the game competitive.
Betting and Predictions
The Hawks hold the league's least favorable against the spread (ATS) record at 14-35-0, notably going 9-12 ATS following a win. However, they fare much better when enjoying a rest advantage, presenting a 6-1 ATS record in such instances.
On the other side, the Clippers have compiled a 27-21-0 ATS record, indicating a more consistent capability to outperform betting expectations. Despite this, they have a subpar 4-6 ATS record when facing a rest disadvantage, which could affect their performance in the upcoming game.
Adding to the intrigue is the even nature of encounters between the two squads, with the season series deadlocked at 1-1. Interestingly, despite the Clippers being slight favorites heading into the matchup, experts are predicting a tightly contested game with the potential for the Hawks to cover the +3 spread.
As we anticipate this thrilling contest, the statistical angles and recent performances position both teams as viable contenders to emerge victorious. It will come down to which team can better exploit their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. For bettors, the final point spread — Atlanta Hawks +3 (-110) — offers an enticing proposition as we count down to game time.
With the potential for an electrifying affair, all eyes will be on State Farm Arena come Monday night to see whether the Clippers can continue their winning ways or if the Hawks can leverage their home-court advantage and continue their ascent.