Game Overview
On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. EST, the Atlanta Hawks, currently sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 26 wins and 29 losses, will face off against the Charlotte Hornets, who occupy the tenth spot with a record of 25-29. The matchup will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, and marks the fourth encounter between these two teams this season.
Previous Matchup
In their previous matchup on February 8, the Hornets emerged victorious with a score of 126-119, propelled by Miles Bridges’ impressive 26-point performance, while Jalen Johnson scored 31 points for the Hawks.
Team Performance
The Hornets, with a conference record of 15-20, have been successful in claiming an average of 45.9 rebounds per game, ranking fifth in the league, thanks to Moussa Diabate, who contributes 8.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, the Hawks have grappled to a 13-19 record against teams within the Eastern Conference.
Nonetheless, Atlanta boasts a strong outside shooting game, ranking eighth in the NBA by making an average of 14.6 three-pointers per game at a 37.1 percent shooting clip. Nickeil Alexander-Walker stands out by making an average of 3.1 three-pointers per outing with a shooting percentage of 37.6.
On the other hand, the Hornets have been more prolific from beyond the arc, averaging 15.4 three-point shots made per game, which is 2.1 more than the 13.3 conceded by the Hawks. Furthermore, Atlanta scores an average of 117.5 points per game, which is slightly more than the 113.9 points that the Hornets allow to opponents.
Individual Performances
In terms of individual performances, Bridges averages 18.2 points along with 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Hornets, while rookie Brandon Miller is contributing significantly with an average of 21.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the last 10 games. For the Hawks, Jalen Johnson has showcased an exceptional all-around game with averages of 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. Additionally, CJ McCollum is a solid contributor, averaging 19.7 points in the past 10 contests.
Recent Performance
Looking at recent performance, the Hornets have been on fire with an impressive 9-1 record over their last ten games, scoring an average of 116.0 points while securing 47.8 rebounds and 26.3 assists per game. Their opponents, however, have been limited to an average of 105.2 points. The Hawks, holding a 6-4 record in their last ten outings, are scoring 117.6 points on average, with their rivals averaging 117.8 points against them.
Injuries
Regarding player injuries, the Hornets will be without Coby White who is sidelined due to a calf injury, while Liam McNeeley’s status remains uncertain due to an ankle issue. The Hawks are also dealing with injuries, missing Jonathan Kuminga (knee), while Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are listed as day-to-day with knee and ankle injuries respectively.
