Atlanta Hawks vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions December 6th 2024

Surging Hawks out to extend Lakers’ recent woes

It’s not hyperbole to say the Los Angeles Lakers are enduring one of their worst weeks in franchise history. After a 109-80 road loss to the Timberwolves on Monday, Los Angeles was gashed by the host Miami Heat 134-93 on Wednesday, marking the team’s worst two-game combined margin of defeat. The Lakers limp into the finale of their four-game road trip on Friday in Atlanta against the surging Hawks.

Lakers’ struggles continue

In Wednesday’s loss, the Heat shot 57.8 percent from the field and 51.1 percent (24-for-47) on 3-pointers. Soon-to-be 40-year-old LeBron James led the way with 29 points, Los Angeles made just 5 of its 22 (22.7 percent) 3-point attempts, and Anthony Davis missed 11 of his 14 shot attempts.

“There has to be some ownership,” first-year Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “When a group is not performing well, it’s easy to splinter and not want the ownership, particularly when it’s embarrassing. I’m embarrassed, we’re all embarrassed. That wasn’t a game that I thought we had the right fight, the right professionalism. Not sure what was lost in translation. … I’m not blaming players. I own this. But there needs to be ownership on the court, as well.”

Redick had Los Angeles rolling to begin the season but has since seen the team drop six of eight games. Davis, who had a season-low eight points on Wednesday, leads the team with 26.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, while James follows with averages of 22.3 points, 9.0 assists and 7.9 rebounds.

Hawks finding their stride

As for the Hawks, they are winners of five straight, most recently snapping the Milwaukee Bucks’ seven-game winning streak Wednesday. After falling behind 16-6 in Milwaukee, Atlanta’s balanced scoring effort led to its longest winning streak since January 2023. Jalen Johnson had 23 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, while De’Andre Hunter added 20 points off the bench. Hunter has eclipsed the 20-point mark in four of his last five games.

For Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder, the key to the win streak has come on the defensive end. The Hawks proved that by allowing just 17 fourth-quarter points by Milwaukee.

“I think as much as anything, when we’re defending, that’s the ticket,” Snyder said. “Whether it’s the first quarter, the third quarter, we just have to really commit to guarding. That allows us to get out in transition. … Whether you’re making or missing shots, find a way to impact the game in other ways.”

Trae Young’s shooting struggles

Atlanta star point guard Trae Young has yet to find his rhythm, shooting career lows from the field (38.4 percent) and from 3-point land (30.6 percent) following Wednesday’s 0-for-9 output from beyond the arc. His playmaking hasn’t suffered though, as his 12 assists per game lead the NBA. Young paces Atlanta with 20.7 points per game, followed by Johnson (20.1) and Hunter (18.7).

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Upcoming matchups

The Hawks, who clinched East Group C in the NBA Cup last week, face the New York Knicks next Wednesday in the Cup quarterfinals. Before that matchup, the Hawks host the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. After facing Atlanta, the Lakers return home to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.