If the Atlanta Hawks are going to turn their season around, they need to do it soon. They’re 13-14 and 11th in the East, a conference with little in the way of elite teams. But the biggest threat to a reversal of fortunes is COVID as several teams have multiple players in protocols, including the Chicago Bulls who had two games postponed.
Fortunately, the Hawks have done fairly well in that regard with only Nate McMillan and his son Jemelle missing time following a positive test result for the latter.
Still, as they look to improve their standing in the East, there has to be some thought on making the most progress possible in the immediate term. That way, should we reach another stoppage, they can be well-positioned upon a restart.
The Atlanta Hawks are racing time and possibly COVID to get their season back on track
Heading out on the road might not be the worst thing for the Hawks right now. They’ve lost their last five in a row in their home gym. Most recently they fell 132-126 to the lowly Houston Rockets, who were on a two-game skid of their own, thanks in no small part to shoddy defense in the fourth quarter.
John Collins probably summed up their late-game performances best.
"“It’s just really a matter of understanding the moment and valuing what the fourth quarter is, valuing that guys are playing harder, valuing the moment…It’s just a matter of trying to slow down, understand, analyze, and execute. That’s been tough as hell for us, in the fourth quarter and for us going down the stretch.” per Sarah K. Spencer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution"
They couldn’t have drawn a better opponent to try to get back right against than the Orlando Magic if they tried. Orlando comes in with just one win in their last 13 tries, having five wins all season, and none since Dec 1.
The Magic are 28th in scoring and 27th in points allowed.
They could be without Mo Bamba, who is having the best season of his career, as he deals with an ankle injury that has him questionable for this contest.
Their best player in Jonathan Issac hasn’t suited up all season as he recovers from a blown-out knee. Jalen Suggs, the third-overall pick in this past July’s NBA Draft, is also out with a busted-up thumb.
It isn’t as if the Hawks are without injuries of their own; they most certainly are. But the talent at the top of the Hawks roster is far superior to that of the Magic, even when both teams are fully healthy. That has been the case in many of Atlanta’s games this season though they certainly haven’t always played like it this season.
They’ll need to correct many things, starting with the defensive end, to get their ship righted. The Magic should offer the perfect opportunity to do just that.