Nets vs Hawks: Eastern Conference Showdown

The Brooklyn Nets (15-40), currently 14th in the Eastern Conference, face off against the Atlanta Hawks (27-31), holding the ninth spot, in Atlanta this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EST. This matchup presents a crucial opportunity for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the season.

Recent Form & Key Storylines

The Nets are entering this game on a three-game losing streak, looking to break the slump against a Hawks team that has shown resilience. Atlanta boasts a 14-21 record against Eastern Conference opponents, highlighting the competitive nature of the conference. A key factor in Atlanta’s success is their ability to generate fast break points, averaging 18.0 per game, led by Jalen Johnson’s impressive 4.3 average. Conversely, the Nets have struggled within the conference, posting an 11-23 record.

Key Players to Watch

• Jalen Johnson (Hawks): Averaging an impressive 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, Johnson is the driving force behind the Hawks’ offense. His all-around performance makes him a constant threat.
• CJ McCollum (Hawks): McCollum has been a consistent threat from beyond the arc, averaging 2.8 made three-pointers over his last 10 games.
• Michael Porter Jr. (Nets): Leading the Nets with 24.7 points per game and 7.2 rebounds, Porter Jr. is their primary scoring option.
• Egor Demin (Nets): Demin has been heating up from three-point range, averaging 2.1 made three-pointers in his last 10 games.

Statistical Breakdown

The Hawks are currently shooting 47.0% from the field, slightly below the 49.2% the Nets allow. However, Atlanta’s defensive struggles are evident, conceding an average of 118.6 points per game while only scoring 106.8. The Nets, while struggling overall, have shown a tendency to perform better when protecting the ball, going 4-12 when committing fewer turnovers than their opponents, averaging 14.9 turnovers per game.

Head-to-Head Record

This is the second meeting between these two teams this season. The Hawks secured a 117-112 victory in their previous encounter on October 29th, setting the stage for a potentially competitive rematch.

Recent Performance (Last 10 Games)

• Hawks: 4-6 record, averaging 113.1 points, 43.5 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 8.3 steals, and 4.2 blocks. Opponents average 118.2 points.
• Nets: 3-7 record, averaging 102.6 points, 43.8 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 7.2 steals, and 4.0 blocks. Opponents average 113.9 points.

Injury Report

• Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga is out due to a knee injury.
• Nets: Ziaire Williams is out for personal reasons, and Nic Claxton is sidelined with an ankle injury.

This story was created by The Associated Press using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.