ATLANTA – Atlanta police are investigating a deadly stabbing they say took place just blocks away from Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta.

Police were called to 133 Trinity Avenue SW, which appeared to be the address for an apartment complex, at 4:24 a.m. on Saturday. That’s where they found a 54-year-old man stabbed to death.

There has been no word yet on a suspect or motive in the case.

This is an ongoing homicide investigation.

MAP OF LOCATION

Before the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, the Atlanta Hawks had their target set on selecting the two-way wing from Virginia, De’Andre Hunter. He was viewed as the next man up to continue a rebuild in Atlanta, as he possessed the potential to dominate both sides of the ball.

In two seasons with the Virginia Cavaliers, Hunter averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50.9% from the floor and 41.9% from three. However, his second season was his best. The former four-star recruit accumulated several conference honors in 2019 and won the national championship.

Through the eyes of Hawks executives, they saw a young yet seasoned star who could fill in various holes across the game plan. Hunter’s size and skillset allowed him to score in any area and lock down nearly every position.

Following summer league and training camp, the coaching staff provided Hunter with quality minutes as he proved himself behind the scenes. He lived up to expectations in his rookie season, averaging 12.3 points and 4.5 boards in 63 games.

However, from that point forward, Hunter’s progression in the NBA appeared to stagnate. He missed significant amounts of time due to injury, and when he was active, he seemed to leave a minimal impact on both ends of the court. This led to trade rumors surrounding his future in Atlanta.

In October of 2022, the Hawks signed Hunter to a four-year, $90 million extension. The front office still had faith in his potential, but NBA fans worldwide questioned this decision by Atlanta. They essentially paid an unproven player who has encountered multiple health concerns.

Fast forward to 2024-25, and the decision to pay Hunter seems like less and less of a mistake. He is finally having the career season fans have anticipated for years, adding to why Atlanta has been able to defeat teams like the Celtics and Cavaliers.

In 14 games this season, Hunter is averaging 19.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting an exceptionally high true shooting percentage of 63.4.

What makes this season different from the rest is Hunter’s role in the active rotation. Head coach Quin Snyder felt it was best to bring Hunter off the bench, especially with the development of first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.

Now, when Hunter checks in, he’s ready to score and make an impact. He attempts excellent shots, moves off the ball, and finishes at a high rate in the paint. Defensively, Hunter’s frame gives him leverage to slide his feet and force a turnover.

Of the nine times Hunter has scored over 20 points this season, his best was in an overtime win against the Los Angeles Lakers. In 34 minutes off the bench, he posted 26 points on 9-for-15 shooting, with five made three-pointers.

The only hurdle in Hunter’s way of winning Sixth Man of the Year is injuries. He must meet the 65-game minimum to be eligible for the award. So far, he has missed 11 games, most of which are due to knee injury management.

That said, Hunter is easily having his best season since being drafted. He is playing winning basketball and is a prominent reason why the Hawks are in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders Preview:

The 6-7 Atlanta Falcons look to snap their four-game losing streak when they head to Las Vegas to take on the 2-11 Raiders.

The season for the Falcons got off to a hot start. They were 6-3 and had a comfortable lead in the NFC South. Now, they find themselves one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on this skid.

Kirk Cousins’s Minnesota homecoming was spoiled last weekend when they lost to the Vikings. They were outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter, and Cousins was not good. He threw two interceptions and did not throw a touchdown pass. He has yet to throw a touchdown during their four-game losing streak. He’s also thrown eight interceptions in that time.

He now gets a head-to-head match against former Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. So, whether you’re targeting spreads and totals, looking for value in futures markets or circling player props, give their podcast a listen to give you that extra edge.

How to Watch Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders Live on Sunday:

• Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
• Time: 8:30 PM ET
• Site: Allegiant Stadium
• City: Las Vegas, NV
• TV/Streaming: ESPN

Latest Game Odds for Falcons at Raiders – Week 15:

The latest odds as of Friday morning courtesy of DraftKings:

• Moneyline: Atlanta Falcons (-200), Las Vegas Raiders (+175)
• Spread: Falcons -4
• Total: 44.5

NBC Sports Bet Best Bets:

NBC Sports analyst Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) recommends betting on Bijan Robinson over 80.5 rushing yards…

Thomas: “Las Vegas’ rush defense isn’t bad. They are only giving up 117.6 rushing yards per game. However, given the lack of success Cousins is having through the air, the Falcons have no other reason but to lean on Robinson. In back-to-back games, he’s run the ball over 20 times. It’s clear they plan to pound the rock with Robinson. Being a 4-point favorite and the team likely to win, I like Robinson to go off on Monday.”

Falcons at Raiders Team Stats, Betting Trends:

• The Falcons are 5-8 ATS this season.
• The Raiders are 5-8 ATS this season.
• The Raiders have covered the spread in eight of their last 10 home games against teams with losing records.
• The Falcons have lost four games in a row.
• The Over is 8-5 in Raiders’ games this season

Quarterback Matchup for Falcons at Raiders:

• Falcons: Kirk Cousins – Cousins has not been good this season. He has not thrown a touchdown in four straight games and has thrown eight interceptions in that time.
• Raiders: Desmond Ridder – Ridder gets the start over his former team after Adian O’Connell went down last game.

Player News & Injuries:

Falcons:

• DT Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle) is on the IR
• DE Zach Harrison (knee) is questionable
• LB Troy Andersen (knee) is questionable
• RB Jase McClellan (knee) is on the IR
• WR Casey Washington (concussion) is questionable

Raiders:

• WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle) is questionable
• QB Aidan O’Connell (knee) is questionable
• DE Maxx Crosby (ankle) is questionable
• DT Adam Butler (concussion) is questionable
• CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) is questionable

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest and tools for the NFL, including game predictions, player props, futures, and trends!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: