Atlanta Hawks vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions December 2nd 2024

Atlanta Hawks vs New Orleans Pelicans December 2nd 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Atlanta Hawks (-483) will host the New Orleans Pelicans (+370) in a non-conference matchup. The Hawks are currently favored by 10 points, and the over/under line is set at 228.

Pelicans vs. Hawks Key Information

The Pelicans dropped to 4-17 on the season after a 118-85 road loss to the Knicks on Sunday. New Orleans entered the game as +12 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread. The total score of 203 points fell short of the 224-point over/under line.

New Orleans got off to a rough start, scoring just 10 points in the 1st quarter while the Knicks went on a 12-0 run. The Pelicans were down 93-56 going into the 4th quarter, but they managed to outscore the Knicks 29-25 in the final period.

The Pelicans’ offense struggled mightily in their 118-85 loss to the Knicks, shooting just 37.2% from the field. Their three-point shooting was even worse, as they hit only 4 threes at a 14.8% clip.

CJ McCollum and Brandon Boston led the team with 13 points each, with Boston scoring all of his points in the 4th quarter. Trey Murphy added 11 points, making 3 threes despite shooting 21.4% overall.

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Defensively, the Pelicans struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 33 and 36 points, respectively, in their 118-85 loss to the Knicks. They allowed New York to shoot 45% from the field.

The Pelicans had trouble defending the three, as the Knicks hit 20 threes at a 44% clip. New Orleans sent New York to the line 16 times, where they made 14 free throws. The Pelicans recorded 14 steals and 9 blocks.

The Hawks moved to 10-11 on the season with a 107-104 win over the Hornets on Saturday. Atlanta, favored by 5.5 points, didn’t cover the spread, but they did get the win. The game’s total of 211 points fell short of the 223.5-point O/U line.

After a 10-0 run by the Hornets put them up 75-69, Atlanta responded by taking a 77-76 lead into the 4th quarter. They edged out Charlotte 30-28 in the final period to secure the win.

Jalen Johnson led the Hawks to a 107-104 win over the Hornets, scoring 20 points and hitting 4 threes at 66.7% from deep. Overall, the Hawks struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 30.3% with 10 made threes, but connected on 48.7% of their field goals.

De’Andre Hunter added 18 points, including 9 in the 4th quarter, while Onyeka Okongwu contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, scoring 8 points in the final period. Zaccharie Risacher also chipped in 9 of his 14 points in the opening quarter.

Despite a shaky start, allowing 32 points in the 1st quarter, the Hawks tightened up defensively in the 2nd, giving up just 18 points. They allowed 26 points in the 3rd and 28 in the 4th, holding the Hornets to 104 points on 37% shooting.

Atlanta struggled to contain Charlotte from beyond the arc, giving up 18 threes on 37% shooting. The Hawks also sent the Hornets to the line 19 times, where they made 16 free throws. Defensively, the Hawks recorded 8 steals and 7 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Hawks to secure the win, with an expected final score of 138-95. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -10.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 228 and our model has the Pelicans and Hawks finishing with a combined 233 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Dejounte Murray Returns to Atlanta as Pelicans Face Hawks

Dejounte Murray will make his return to Atlanta on Monday when the New Orleans Pelicans face the Hawks, who are riding a three-game win streak, their first such streak of the season.

Hawks Look to Extend Winning Streak

Atlanta (9-7) comes off a hard-fought 107-104 win over Charlotte on Saturday, marking their third consecutive victory. Jalen Johnson, who has been on a tear, scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the win. Johnson is now averaging 20.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, continuing his strong play after an injury-riddled start to his career.

Johnson, the Hawks’ 2021 first-round pick, has scored in double figures for 17 straight games, the longest streak of his career. His presence has provided a much-needed complement to Trae Young, as Atlanta has found a new rhythm on offense.

“It’s been good to see flashes from him,” said Young. “He’s been healthy this season, and we’ve been able to see just how special he can be.”

In addition to Johnson’s breakout performance, the Hawks have also started to get contributions from their 2023 first-round pick, Kobe Bufkin. Bufkin missed the first 14 games due to a shoulder injury but has averaged 5.3 points in the seven games since his return. Veteran shooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, who missed 13 games with a hamstring injury, also returned to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game due to load management. He’ll be back on the floor Monday, providing additional scoring and three-point shooting.

Pelicans Struggling Amid Injuries

New Orleans (4-12) continues to battle injuries, most notably missing Zion Williamson, who has sat out the last 12 games with a hamstring strain. Brandon Ingram (right calf soreness) has missed the last four games, and C.J. McCollum has been sidelined as well. In addition, the Pelicans are without Jose Alvarado (hamstring), Jordan Hawkins (back), and Herbert Jones (shoulder).

The absence of so many key players has left New Orleans struggling to find its rhythm, as evidenced by their 118-85 loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday, which extended their losing streak to eight games.

“We’ve got to find our confidence. That’s the biggest thing I saw,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green. “It starts with believing that we have what it takes to compete at the highest level and give ourselves a chance to win.”

Murray’s return to Atlanta will undoubtedly add some extra intrigue to the matchup. The Pelicans acquired him in the offseason in exchange for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, and two first-round picks after Murray’s time with the Hawks ended. Murray had spent the previous two seasons in Atlanta, pairing with Young to form a dynamic backcourt, but the experiment didn’t work as planned, and the Hawks ultimately opted to move on.

Murray had averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in his time with the Hawks but is now looking to rekindle his career with the Pelicans, who have yet to hit their stride with a fully healthy roster.

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Key Matchups

• Dejounte Murray vs. Trae Young: Murray returns to face his former team for the first time, having spent two seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the Pelicans. Can he lead New Orleans to a much-needed win while facing off against his old backcourt partner, Young?
• Jalen Johnson’s Hot Streak: Johnson is on fire, and the Hawks will look to him to continue producing as they aim for a fourth straight win. How will New Orleans’ defense respond to Johnson’s versatility?
• Injuries Impacting Pelicans: New Orleans has struggled to stay healthy, and with so many key players sidelined, they’ll need others to step up. Can Murray and his teammates fill the gap against an improving Atlanta squad?

Monday’s game offers an intriguing storyline as Murray returns to Atlanta, and the Pelicans look to get back on track despite their injury woes. Meanwhile, the Hawks are in a strong position to extend their win streak and further solidify their place in the standings.