The Atlanta Hawks (14-15) schedule is serving them a slow-pitch softball at the right time. They unexpectedly got an extra day off when the NBA postponed their game against the Cavaliers after Cleveland had to place several players into health and safety protocols including Evan Mobley.
That news came just after it was announced Trae Young joined what has become a record number of players to be knocked out of action this month. His status for the Christmas day tilt with the New York Jeopardy is very much in question.
Now, in their anticipated return to action, they play host to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
A short-handed Atlanta Hawks team can still beat the Orlando Magic
The Hawks are just 3-5 in December after going 8-7 in November, including both their six-game losing skid and their seven-game winning streak. After going 3-3 in October to start the year, it isn’t hard to see that the Hawks 14-15 record is very much a reflection of their play this season instead of happenstance.
Before they can even worry about Young playing against the Knicks, they have to take care of the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday.
They are 0-3 against those two teams this season.
That’s why they need to take advantage of an Orlando team that they’re already beaten twice in a year where they haven’t been able to say that about many opponents. The Magic are just 6-25 after getting a win over the Kevin Durant-less Brooklyn Nets.
They have just that one win in their last eight tries including their 111-99 loss to the Hawks a week ago Wednesday.
Of course, without Young, it will be more of a challenge this time out. The Hawks superstar is averaging 25.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in the two previous meetings. And without him, their Hawks offense tanks more than the defense picks up. The rest of the team has struggled to score consistently, particularly in recent games.
Hopefully, the extra days off will help heal up any bumps and bruises. The Hawks were close to getting Bogdan Bogdanovic back for the Cavs. Anything will help until they get Young back.
Even when he doe return, though, the Hawks have to do a better job of not letting the offense grow stagnant late in games with everyone just watching Trae work. It makes them far too easy to defend.