If you're looking for a night of explosive basketball, you couldn't find a more volatile mix than the Atlanta Hawks squaring off against the San Antonio Spurs. The Hawks' recent performance has been as predictable as a wind vane in a tornado. Yet, with players like Trae Young, who's been consistently marking 21.5 points per game this season, and his wingman Jalen Johnson hovering around a decent 20.4 points last month, things might get interesting.
On the other hand, if you thought Hawks had all the right players, wait till you see the Spurs' line-up. Victor Wembanyama is sitting pretty with his 25.1 points per game last month, making others just look like a supporting cast. Couple that with Jeremy Sochan's impressive 13.8 points per game and Stephon Castle’s 14.1 points average in the same duration, the Spurs might just be the artists with the more colorful palette here.
Now, history has taught us a lesson or two about past face-offs. For instance, in the four most recent games between these two teams, the Hawks and Spurs have split the victories, each winning two apiece. A fun fact to consider before we put our money on the line.
The regular season score for both the teams isn't that flamboyant either, with Hawks having a slightly better record of 14-13 than the Spurs at 13-13. Recent results have been a bumpy ride for both squads, but that doesn’t tell us much.
So, where are these teams in the grand scheme of things? The Hawks are perched at #7 in the Eastern Conference, while the Spurs languish at #11 in the Western Conference. Does it tip the scales in Hawks' favor? Well, I wouldn’t bet the house on that just yet.
Time for some crystal ball gazing. Judging by the tone and tenor of the game, the scales might be tipped slightly in favor of the host.
Albert’s Prediction: San Antonio Spurs by 1.
