Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

Preview and Prediction

The Atlanta Hawks' defense will face another formidable challenge on Saturday as they kick off a four-game homestand against the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA's most potent offensive team.

Atlanta currently allows an average of 119.3 points per game, placing them fourth-worst in the league. However, their struggles in guarding the 3-point shot have been even more concerning, as they rank last in the NBA in allowing opponents to make an average of 15.9 3-pointers per game at a 38.2 percent success rate.

This weakness could prove to be especially problematic against the Memphis Grizzlies, who just set a franchise record with 27 3-pointers in their dominant 144-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.

The Grizzlies' defensive efforts were equally impressive, as they held Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green without a single field goal. Curry went 0-for-7 and scored only two points, while Green was 0-for-4 and failed to score at all.

"That's our mindset," stated Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins, whose team has won five of their last six games. "I talk to the guys all the time and give them a list of the things I saw that were really impressive. I tell them, 'This is what we need to do every single night.' They understand that. With a grueling schedule of 82 games, there are definitely some teams that will garner more attention, but for us, it's always about our own performance. I couldn't care less about who we're playing against."

The Hawks, who made a strong run to the semifinals of the NBA Cup tournament, have lost their last two games but have still managed to win seven of their last 10. In their most recent game, a 133-126 overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs, four Atlanta players scored 20 or more points. However, this was the third time in their last five games that the Hawks allowed their opponents to score over 130 points.

"We've had that balance all season," said Atlanta coach Quin Snyder. "We had a lot of good possessions where we were well-spaced and able to get some great looks."

This will be the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. In their two games last season, each team won on the other's home court. The Grizzlies have won their last two games in Atlanta.

Memphis made a change to their starting lineup by inserting Zach Edey at center and bringing Brandon Clarke off the bench against the Warriors. Edey performed well with eight points and eight rebounds, while Clarke contributed eight points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

"We felt that our starting unit needed a little bit of a boost," explained Jenkins. "We were looking for a jolt and I thought Zach played very well. This is nothing against B.C., who has been great with any unit. It was a tough decision to make that change and we will continue to evaluate our lineup combinations."

The one-sided victory for the Grizzlies allowed them to limit the minutes for Ja Morant, who had taken a hard fall in their previous game against the Indiana Pacers and was listed as questionable with back soreness. Morant did start the game, but only played for 17 minutes due to the nature of the game. He is still listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.

Morant currently averages 21.2 points per game, second only to Jaren Jackson Jr. (21.8) on the team.

The Hawks will be without backups Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder) and Onyeka Okongwu (left knee inflammation), while star guard Trae Young (right heel) is listed as questionable. The Grizzlies will be without Jay Huff (left ankle sprain), while Marcus Smart (left shoulder) is questionable.

PREDICTION

Memphis Grizzlies

122

120

Atlanta Hawks

Memphis vs. Atlanta Recap APR 7TH 2021