Atlanta Hawks Game Preview: March 10th vs. Toronto Raptors

Dec 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball as Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) defends during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Atlanta Hawks won 125-121. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball as Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) defends during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Atlanta Hawks won 125-121. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) defends during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Atlanta Hawks won 125-121. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) controls a ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) defends during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Atlanta Hawks won 125-121. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Season Series

The Hawks and Raptors have played twice this season. The season series is currently tied 1-1. Given their close proximity in the standings, it’s easy to picture these two being involved in a tiebreaker scenario when the regular season comes to a close.

The Raptors won the first meeting in a blowout. Toronto defeated Atlanta 128-84 behind 21 points from DeMar DeRozan. Patrick Patterson added 17 points on 4-for-5 from three-point range. Kyle Lowry contributed 17 points and nine assists. The Raptors absolutely dominated offensively. They shot 57.6 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from three-point distance.

The Hawks shot 39.8 percent from the floor and 25 percent from outside. Dennis Schroder led all Hawks scorers with 15 points and six assists. It was a rough offensive outing for the entire team.

The second meeting was much more successful for Atlanta. This time both teams scorched the nets. Atlanta shot 53.5 percent from the field and 44 percent from behind the arc. Dwight Howard paced them with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Dennis Schroder scored 24 points and handed out six assists.

DeRozan and Lowry combined for 61 points, while the team shot 54.7 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from three-point distance. Both teams excelled offensively with Atlanta winning in a shootout.

The rosters are different this time around. Something tells me we won’t be in for another shootout.