NBA Preview: Atlanta Hawks (3-2) at New Orleans Pelicans (4-1)

0
137

The Atlanta Hawks have been on a roll over their last three games.

After losing their first two games of the season, they have averaged 128 points in comfortable wins against Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Washington. They’ll seek a fourth straight win when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

Seven players scored in double figures in the 130-121 home win against the Wizards on Wednesday.

Dejounte Murray led the way, finishing with 24 points after tying his career high with 41 against the Timberwolves on Monday.

Trae Young added 23 points and 10 assists, although he made just 7 of 18 shots and is shooting just 32.6 percent for the season.

Atlanta took control against the Wizards by outscoring them 74-52 over the second and third quarters. Washington led 30-25 after one quarter and made the final more respectable with a 39-31 edge in the fourth quarter.

The Pelicans are also playing well. They overcame a 22-point deficit in a 110-106 win at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night in the largest road comeback in franchise history. They had an easier time of it Thursday, leading nearly wire to wire in a 125-116 home victory against Detroit.

Leading scorer Brandon Ingram has missed the last three games because of knee soreness, and second-leading scorer Zion Williamson was given the night off against the Pistons.

New Orleans had several players make up for the absence of the team’s two star forwards against Detroit. McCollum scored 33, Herbert Jones scored 21, Matt Ryan had a career-high 20 and Jonas Valanciunas had 23 points and 13 rebounds as the Pelicans finished with a season-high point total. The Hawks and the Pelicans split their two meetings last season, with the home team winning both games.

Previous articleNBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (2-3) at Philadelphia Sixers (3-1)
Next articleNBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) at Orlando Magic (3-2)
NBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated NBA analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player development pipelines, and organizational dynamics. This columnist delivers in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams and stars shape the modern game. Background: With extensive experience covering professional basketball, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching philosophy, and league‑wide trends. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and breaking down the nuances of an 82‑game season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and analytically driven readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NBA’s fast‑moving, star‑driven landscape.