The Lakers (9-2) will continue their current five-game road trip in Atlanta where they will take on the Hawks (7-4) on Monday. This is the first matchup between the teams this season.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Atlanta Hawks
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
After taking down the league’s top-ranked defense in the Pistons on Sunday, the Lakers have little time to celebrate as they’re back on the court less than 24 hours later for a matchup in Atlanta. Both teams enter this meeting in good form with each looking to extend their win streaks.
The Lakers have strung together five in a row while the Hawks are not too far behind with four. One streak will end on Monday.
Los Angeles will have the rest disadvantage in this one after going down the wire with the Pistons today. But in fairness to the purple and gold, they’ve been doing well on the second leg of their back-to-back games this young season, winning two so far.
The biggest question mark entering this is whether Luka Dončić will suit up after he was sidelined with back tightness on Sunday. If the current MVP favorite does, then that would obviously be huge for the Lakers. Dončić can give the Hawks’ defense trouble like no other and that pressure will help free up the Lakers’ offense.
Speaking of the Lakers’ offense, it would really help if they knock down their shots in this one. The Hawks are a mediocre 3-point shooting team and have struggled to contain opposing shooters. They have Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to create havoc and disrupt passing lanes which is why it’ll be ideal if the team can contribute all-around instead of rallying on Dončić and Austin Reaves, who is coming off a 43-point game.
The Hawks have two dynamic and pesky guards in CJ McCollum and Alexander-Walker, so expect the Lakers’ perimeter defense to have its hands full. Remember, this isn’t the same Atlanta team since Trae Young departed. They’re a confident squad that plays commendable team basketball and at a much faster pace than the Lakers. Jalen Johnson might just be a matchup problem for the Lakers. Look for Atlanta to double down on that on Monday.
The Lakers’ grit has been one of the many enjoyable aspects of watching this team so far this season. It’s become a defining trait and hopefully we see it again versus the Hawks on Monday. Let’s see if the Lakers will be the team that walks away with their winning streak still intact.
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