The Atlanta Hawks’ defense will face another tough challenge on Saturday as they begin a four-game homestand by hosting the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA’s top offensive team.
Atlanta allows 119.3 points per game, fourth-worst in the league. More concerning is the team’s difficulty guarding the 3-point shot, allowing opponents to make 15.9 per game at a 38.2 percent success rate, the worst in the NBA.
This could be particularly problematic against a Memphis team that just set a franchise record with 27 3-pointers in its 144-93 win over Golden State on Thursday.
Equally impressive was Memphis’ defensive effort. The Grizzlies held Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green without a field goal; Curry went 0-for-7 and scored two points, while Green went 0-for-4 and failed to score.
The Hawks, who reached the semifinals of the NBA Cup tournament, have lost two in a row but have won seven of their last 10 games. Atlanta had four players score 20-plus points in a 133-126 overtime loss at San Antonio on Thursday. It was the third time in their last five games that Atlanta allowed more than 130 points.
This will be the first of two meetings between the teams this season. They split their games last season, each winning on the other’s home court. The Grizzlies have won two straight in Atlanta.
Memphis moved Zach Edey into the starting lineup at center and used Brandon Clarke off the bench against Golden State. Edey responded with eight points and eight rebounds, while Clarke had eight points and 10 rebounds in the win.
The one-sided Memphis win was beneficial in limiting minutes for Ja Morant, who took a hard fall against Indiana in the previous game and was listed as questionable with back soreness. Morant started but only had to play 17-plus minutes due to the nature of the game. He remains listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game.
Morant averages 21.2 points, second-best on the team behind Jaren Jackson Jr. (21.8).
Atlanta is playing without backups Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder) and Onyeka Okongwu (left knee inflammation), while star guard Trae Young (right heel) is listed as questionable. Memphis is without Jay Huff (left ankle sprain), while Marcus Smart (left shoulder) is questionable.
