RealGM

Posted: **Wed Dec 6, 2023 2:22 pm**

Nets look to get even in the ATL

This one’s gonna be fast and filled with buckets galore. The Hawks are:

3rd in pace
4th in offensive efficiency
26th in defensive efficiency

Hope everyone’s ready to run. A game like this is up Spencer Dinwiddie’s alley and the last time he saw ATL, he set season highs in assists (12) and field goal attempts (23).

Without Jalen Johnson, the Hawks will have to rely more on the wing duo of De’Andre Hunter and Saadiq Bey. It’s been a bit of a hit or miss season for Hunter and he missed some time with a finger injury, but he’s back now.

The center matchup should be fun. Nic Claxton has continued to impress and has been a two way force for this Nets ballclub. Claxton’s presence at the rim and when the Nets get on the break makes things easier for his teammates and presents new opportunities for them to work with. The Hawks’ duo of Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela will battle with Claxton on the inside and hopefully push him into foul trouble.

Player to watch: Trae Young

It takes time to shake certain narratives. The narrative around Young in particular is that he’s a defensive sieve and someone you can hunt over and over on that side of that ball. Sure he’s not Gary Payton, but he’s working hard.

But ultimately, we’re here for Young’s offensive excellence. Over his last seven games, Young is averaging 32.9 points and ten assists per game on .472/.423/.796 shooting splits. We know how dynamic he is from deep, but he’s been making a killing in the painted area. He’s shooting 52 percent in the paint (restricted area and otherwise) during that span. And when you’re a player like him, you get to the line a bunch. On the season, Trae is getting to the free throw line nine times a night, third behind only Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokuonmpo. Pretty, pretty good! For Brooklyn, they’ve got to maintain their discipline and hope they’re not on the receiving end of a rough whistle.