Upcoming Matchup: Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics
In an exciting matchup set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. EST, the Atlanta Hawks (23-25), currently placed 10th in the Eastern Conference, will face off against the Boston Celtics (29-17), who sit comfortably in the second spot. The Hawks will aim to extend their winning streak to four games against a formidable opponent in the Celtics, who have achieved a solid record of 21 wins against Eastern Conference rivals this season and have gone 13-11 against teams with a positive record.
Team Performance Overview
Atlanta’s performance has been somewhat shaky in conference games, with an 11-17 record. They have struggled in close contests, holding a 5-6 mark in games settled by three points or less. On the other hand, Boston has demonstrated their shooting prowess, averaging 15.7 three-pointers per game—outperforming the Hawks, who allow 13.3 per game. Interestingly, the Hawks have been consistent in their own shooting, making 14.6 three-pointers per game, slightly exceeding what the Celtics concede on average.
Previous Encounters
This upcoming game marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, following a convincing victory for the Celtics, who won their previous encounter 132-106, thanks largely to Jaylen Brown’s standout performance, where he scored 41 points.
Key Players to Watch
Key players to watch include Boston’s Derrick White, who averages 17.6 points with a shooting percentage of 39.1%, and Jaylen Brown, who has been in excellent form, averaging 26.2 points over his last ten games. For the Hawks, Jalen Johnson has been impressive, contributing 23 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been effective from beyond the arc with an average of 3.5 three-pointers made in his last ten outings.
Recent Performance
Historically, the last ten games have seen the Celtics win 6 and lose 4, scoring an average of 113.2 points per game while holding their opponents to 107.7. Conversely, the Hawks have also recorded a 6-4 record, scoring at a slightly higher rate of 115.0 points per game but conceding 114.1 points on average.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, the Celtics will be without Jayson Tatum (achilles) and Luka Garza (illness), while the Hawks are missing Kristaps Porzingis (achilles) and soon-to-be impact player N’Faly Dante for the remainder of the season. Zaccharie Risacher’s status remains day-to-day due to a knee injury.
Conclusion
As the Hawks prepare to challenge the Celtics, this game promises to deliver high stakes and an intense battle as both teams strive for a crucial victory amid their respective playoff aspirations.
