Preview: Atlanta Hawks Finally Favored to Win
By Dallin Duffy
Looking ahead to the Hawks’ Monday night match up with the Golden State Warriors.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Golden State Warriors, winners of the Western Conference 5 years straight, are now underdogs to the 4-16 Atlanta Hawks.
It’s one of the first times this season the Hawks have been favored, and the first time in almost a full month.
Crazy to think, but yes, this 4-16 team minus their 2nd and 3rd best players are favored over anyone – let alone the Warriors.
To be fair, the Warriors have plenty of injury issues of their own, with Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell missing the game, to go along with Steph Curry’s and Klay Thompson‘s long term injuries.
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Trae Young should be the best player on the court by a fairly large margin, and considering the tear he’s been on, and the Warriors’ porous D, could score 40+ for the third time this season.
All this has led to The Action Network declaring the Hawks favorites, giving 5.5.
Trae’s supporting cast is another story – especially with Kevin Huerter still out, Allen Crabbe doubtful, and Cam Reddish questionable.
Huerter originally stated he was aiming to return on this night, but that will not be the case.
It’s something of a revenge game for Hawks’ starting center, Damian Jones, who spent the last three seasons with the Dubs.
This is not unlike Omari Spellman, who will return to Atlanta after an up-and-down rookie campaign for the Hawks a year ago. He likely will slide into the starting 5 with Draymond missing the game.
It’s the first meeting on the year for the two squads, and the Warriors swept their two contests last season. The Hawks haven’t beat the Warriors at all since February 2015.
Next. Things to watch for in December. dark
Atlanta will have a chance to beat that 9 -game losing streak to Golden State, as well as the 10-game losing streak they’re on this season.
You can see if they can do that tonight. Tip is scheduled at 7:30 Eastern.