The Atlanta Hawks are set to challenge the Toronto Raptors in a two-game series beginning on March 16, 2024. This matchup offers the Hawks a chance to break a streak during which the Raptors have secured four consecutive victories against them. The teams will meet again on March 18, with both games taking place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The Raptors have already triumphed twice over the Hawks this season, winning 138-118 on October 22 and following up with a 109-97 victory on November 7. Atlanta aims to reverse this trend after their recent performance, where they secured a solid 111-99 win against the New York Knicks on March 15. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks in that game, recording an impressive 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, achieving his seventh triple-double of the season, a record for the franchise.
“We’re defending at a high level,” Johnson stated. “If we can sustain that, we’ll give ourselves a chance every single game.” His confidence reflects the Hawks’ recent improvement in their defensive strategy, which they will need against a Raptors team eager to bounce back from a disappointing 106-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Toronto’s struggle against the Nuggets was marked by a season-low shooting percentage of 37%. Despite this, Scottie Barnes demonstrated his capabilities, achieving his eighth career triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. “When things are going right, things are going right,” Barnes commented. “I’m trying to be more intentional on rebounding and pushing the ball in fastbreak.”
The Raptors have had two days to regroup following their loss, and they will be without Jakob Poeltl, who is sidelined due to a strained lower back. Coach Darko Rajakovic noted the importance of Barnes’ performance, stating, “Every night he definitely has an opportunity for double-doubles. Points and rebounds should always be there.”
As they approach the back-to-back games against Atlanta, the Raptors hold a 2-1 record for their current five-game homestand. The Hawks, meanwhile, have recently surged after a challenging stretch, snapping a seven-game losing streak with a dominant 126-102 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the week.
Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each contributed 23 points to that victory against Minnesota. Alexander-Walker expressed the team’s newfound energy, saying, “It’s just fun because we are playing free. Everyone is aggressive to take their shots, and everyone is happy when the other guy has it. Those are little things that are infectious.”
In a concerning development for Atlanta, star player Trae Young missed his third consecutive game due to a right quadriceps contusion. Despite his absence, the Hawks displayed effective teamwork against the Knicks, shooting 47.7% from the field while limiting New York to just 37.1%.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder emphasized the importance of the team’s style of play, saying, “We just guarded well. That gives us a chance to get out in transition. We’ve got some guys that really enjoy passing the ball, and so we were able to generate some good shots.”
As both teams prepare for this crucial showdown, the stakes are high, and the players are ready to deliver an exciting display of basketball on the court.
