Spread and final score predictions

Two of the NBA’s most injured teams face off tonight in New Orleans. The Hawks are on a three-game losing streak entering tonight’s game against the Pelicans and they could really use a win leading up to Monday’s game against the Celtics.

The Hawks’ offense hasn’t been a major problem this season, although they haven’t been elite either. The defense has suffered greatly due to the injuries, but it could be helped if Daniels returns to face his former side tonight.

Going into tonight’s game, the Hawks are 11th in the NBA in PPG, 15th in FG%, 14th in 3PA, 17th in 3P%, 2nd in FTA, 20th in rebounding and 19th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the glassAtlanta ranks 16th in points per 100 possessions, 13th in effective field goal percentage, 19th in turnover percentage, 18th offensive rebound percentage and 3rd in free throw percentage.

Atlanta ranks 28th in PPG allowed, 16th in field goal percentage allowed, 27th in 3PA allowed and 30th in 3P% allowed. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Hawks rank 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions, and 25th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

The stats, moving forward or not, aren’t great for New Orleans so far this season. New Orleans ranks 24th in points per game, 19th in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point attempts, 15th in three-point percentage, 18th in free throw attempts, 15th in rebounds and 13th in turnovers. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Pelicans rank 23rd in points per 100 possessions, 24th in effective field goal percentage, 16th in turnover percentage, 11th in offensive rebounding percentage and 21st in free throw percentage.

Defensively, New Orleans ranks 16th in PPG allowed, 21st in field goal percentage allowed, 15th in three-point attempts allowed and 25th in three-point percentage allowed. According to Cleaning the Glass, New Orlenas ranks 16th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 20th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Trae Young has had to carry a heavy load for the Hawks over the past two games because they are so shorthanded and even if Daniels is back tonight, that may not change. Young had 25 points on 8-21 shooting and 12 assists on offense. With Jones and Murphy out for New Orleans, Young could have an easier time on offense without their top fullbacks guarding him.

It would be huge from a defensive perspective to have Daniels back, but he is also an extra ball handler and a good floor spacer as well. Keep an eye on his status today.

It’s been a tough ask for No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher in shooting, but he has contributed in other ways for the Hawks. But for him to be most effective, the Hawks need Risacher to be a viable threat shooting the ball and he was 1-9 in nearly 20 minutes last night.

Jalen Johnson played well heading into Friday’s game against the Kings, but he had a tough night on offense. He finished with 14 points, nine assists and five rebounds while shooting 4-10 from the field.

Atlanta gets both Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu tonight and they could have big nights. The Pelicans’ center rotation consists of rookie Yves Missi and Daniels Theis, but Missi is playing well. Still, Capela and Okongwu are veterans and have the advantage in this game.

The Hawks bench played well, especially Garrison Matthews and Keaton Wallace. Matthews had 23 points and hit seven three-pointers against the Kings and kept the Hawks in the game. Wallace has been very good at both ends in the last two games and deserves more minutes going forward.

According toFanduel Sports BookNew Orleans is favorite tonight with 4.5 points and the total is 229.

I think the Hawks will be desperate to win this game. They have lost four in a row and have a game against the Celtics tomorrow, a game in which they will be heavy underdogs. If Daniels plays, he can give the Hawks the boost they need to win the game. I think the Hawks will have a big advantage in the center spot, which will allow them to get extra possessions. The duo of Trae Young and Jalen Johnson outdos Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson and Atlanta wins.

Final: Hawks 116, Pelicans 113