The Atlanta Hawks, a team that many thought was dead at the start of this season, have managed to stay afloat through their first two months of play. Their record of 14-13 puts them in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, but is only 2 wins behind the third place New York Knicks. This was much to the dismay of San Antonio Spurs fans who had hoped to capitalize on the unprotected 2025 first-round pick the team acquired in the Dejounte Murray trade in 2022. However, the plans for the top draft picks of the Spurs in next June’s NBA draft on hold, at least for now.

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

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

Clock: CW35| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

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

Hawks injuries: Cody Zeller is out (personal)

What you should pay attention to

• The Hawks have managed to stay above .500 despite their All-Star point guard Trae Young having just one down year. Many of Young’s numbers have dropped as he is averaging the fewest PPG since his rookie season (21.5) at the worst rates of his career (39/32/88). This can be attributed in large part to the fact that Atlanta simply doesn’t have many great options, despite leading the league by a comfortable margin with 12.1 assists per game (albeit up from a peak of 4.6 in turnovers). League). per game). Regardless of the shooting percentages and turnover issues, Young remains the front-runner for Atlanta.
• Slender young man Victor Wembanyama is expected to be 10-year veteran Clint Capela. Capela, who is again averaging a double-double in under 25 minutes a night for the Hawks, weighs nearly 30 pounds more than Wemby and has always been a solid defender and fullback. See if Sniper Victor shows up early and can pull Capela out of the perimeter.
• Jeremy Sochan grabbed a season-best 15 rebounds in the loss to Minnesota. Sochan looked very good after missing all of November with a hand injury. Since returning, he has recorded 3 double-doubles in 6 of his games.

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