The Atlanta Hawks’ defense will get another fierce test on Saturday when they begin a four-game homestand by hosting the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA’s top offensive team.
Atlanta allows 119.3 points per game, fourth-worst in the league. But more ominous has been the team’s lack of acuity guarding the 3-point shot, where they’re last in the NBA in allowing opponents to make 15.9 per game at a 38.2 percent success rate.
That could be particularly troublesome against a Memphis club that just set a franchise record with 27 3-pointers in its 144-93 win over Golden State on Thursday.
Even more telling was the Memphis effort on defense. The Grizzlies held Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green without a field goal; Curry was 0-for-7 and scored two points and Green was 0-for-4 and failed to score.
“That’s our mentality,” said Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins, whose team has won five of its last six games. “I talk to the guys all the time. And I give them the list of the things I saw that were really good. I’m like, this is what it’s got to be like every single night. And they know it. It’s a grueling schedule for everybody, 82 games, definitely some teams you’ve you’re going to get your little attention more.
“And Atlanta is playing extremely well right now, a dynamic team, but it’s always about us, you know, I could care less who’s on the schedule.”
The Hawks, who made a run to the semifinals of the NBA Cup tournament, have lost two in a row but have won seven of their last 10. Atlanta had four players score 20-plus points in a 133-126 overtime loss at San Antonio on Thursday. It was the third time over its last five games that Atlanta allowed more than 130 points.
“That balance is something we’ve had,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “We had a lot of good possessions where we were spaced and able to get some good looks.”
This will be the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. They split the two games last season, each winning on the other’s home court. The Grizzlies have won two straight in Atlanta.
Memphis moved Zach Edey into the starting lineup at center and used Brandon Clarke off the bench against Golden State. Edey responded with eight points and eight rebounds and Clarke had eight points and 10 rebounds in the win.
“We just felt our starting unit was needing a little bit of a boost,” Jenkins said. “Could I get a little bit of jolt there? I thought Zach played well and this is nothing to B.C., I think he’s been great with any unit. It was a tough call to make that change and we’ll continue to evaluate lineup combinations.”
The one-sided Memphis win was helpful in limiting minutes for Ja Morant, who took a hard fall against Indiana the previous game and was listed as questionable with back soreness. Morant started but only had to play 17-plus minutes due to the nature of the game. He is still listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game.
Morant averages 21.2 points, second-best on the team behind Jaren Jackson Jr. (21.8).
Atlanta is playing without backups Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder) and Onyeka Okongwu (left knee inflammation) while star guard Trae Young (right heel) is listed as questionable. Memphis is without Jay Huff (left ankle sprain) while Marcus Smart (left shoulder) is questionable.
–Field Level Media