Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Atlanta Hawks

On By Littum

A team that many had left for dead this season, the Atlanta Hawks has managed to keep his head above water through the first 2 months of play. Their 14-13 record has them in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, but they are just 2 wins out of 3rd place New York Knicks. This has been much to the dismay of San Antonio Spurs fans who were hoping to cash in on the unprotected 2025 1st round pick the team acquired in the Dejounte Murray trade back in 2022. With both teams’ overwhelming expectations in this early part of season though, plans for high Spurs’ draft picks next June NBA Draft is apparently on the back burner, at least for now.

San Antonio Spurs (13-13) vs Atlanta Hawks (14-13)

December 19, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. CT

See: CW35| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Keldon Johnson: day to day (calf), Zach Collins: day to day (back), Tre Jones: day to day (shoulder)

Hawks injuries: Cody Zeller: out (personal)

What to watch out for

  • The Hawks have managed to hover over .500 despite what can only be described as a down year for their All Star point guard Trae Young. Many of Young’s numbers are down as he averages his fewest PPG since his rookie season (21.5) on the worst percentages of his career (39/32/88). A lot of that can be attributed to the fact that Atlanta just doesn’t have many good options around him, even though he leads the league in assists per game. game by a comfortable 12.1 margin (albeit against a league-leading 4.6 turnovers). per game). Regardless of the shooting percentages and turnover issues, Young remains the head of the snake for Atlanta.
  • Slender youngster Victor Wembanyama’s main match-up is likely to be 10-year vet Clint Capela. Capela, who is again nearly averaging a double-double for the Hawks in less than 25 minutes a night, has nearly 30 pounds on Wemby and has always been a solid defender and rim protector. See if Sharpshooter Victor shows up early and is able to pull Capela out on the edge.
  • Jeremy Sochan had a season-best 15 rebounds in the loss to Minnesota. Sochan has looked very good after missing all of November with a hand injury. He has 3 double-doubles in 6 of his games since returning.

Please visit for the Hawks fan’s perspective Peachtree Hoops.

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