Atlanta, GA

Three Reasons The Atlanta Hawks Can Qualify For the NBA Cup Knockout Round

Published

2 months ago

November 10, 2024

Three Reasons The Atlanta Hawks Can Qualify For the NBA Cup Knockout Round

From November 12 to December 17, it will be NBA Cup season.

The in-season tournament begins with group play, where 30 teams are divided into six groups (three from each conference). Each team plays four games—two at home and two on the road. The best teams from each group, plus two wild cards, advance to the knockout rounds, culminating in a final held in Las Vegas.

The Atlanta Hawks are in Group C of the Eastern Conference groups and play the following group stage games:
a) Boston Celtics on November 12
b) Washington Wizards on November 15
c) Chicago Bulls on November 22
d) Cleveland Cavaliers on November 29

At the moment, it’s impossible to project who the Hawks will play in the knockout rounds or assume that they will make it that far. However, Atlanta has one of the toughest draws in the group stage. Both the Celtics and Cavaliers stand out as particularly imposing matchups while the Bulls and Wizards cannot be discounted. The unbeatean Cavaliers are currently leading the East with a 11-0 record. On offense, they have a stellar 123.6 points per 100 possessions (2nd in the NBA) and lead the NBA in effective field goal % per Cleaning the Glass. On defense, they are similarly impressive, only giving up 109.8 points per 100 possessions (5th best in NBA) and ranking third in turnover percentage forced. The Celtics are the reigining NBA champions and are second in the Eastern Conference with an 8-2 record. The stats and games back up the idea that they are well-positioned for another title run. The Hawks saw exactly how dominant Boston is in their last meeting, where the Celtics ran them off the court in a 123-93 beatdown.

The Bulls just got a 125-113 win over Atlanta. Even though it was largely due to the Hawks’ own miscues in a blown fourth quarter, it is hard to count out Chicago. They are a strong shooting team and can shoot teams out of games in any given matchup. Washington is one of the worst teams in the league, but Bilal Coulibaly powered them to an unlikely win over the Hawks as recently as October 30th. Atlanta can credibly be taken down by the group stage, but it does not mean they have no chance of making it to the knockout stage. If they do make it to the knockout stage, here are three reasons why that shouldn’t be a surprise.

Unless otherwise mentioned, all stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.

Trae Young *Should* Turn In A Superstar Showing

Young is obviously the most critical player to the Hawks’ chances of success, but he has gone through his fair share of struggles to open the season. He is currently shooting a career-worst 39% from the field and a dismal 33% from three-point range. It should be noted that he is shooting the second-most threes per game of his career at 9.3, which is certainly worsening his efficiency. However, it cannot be discounted that Young’s shot is not falling at the moment.

To be clear, he is still an excellent playmaker. He is averaging a career-best 11.5 assists – albeit on 4.5 turnovers a game – and has played a crucial role in Jalen Johnson taking another step this year. That will not be enough to power the Hawks over teams like the Cavaliers and Celtics. Every defense keys in on stopping Young, but he has not been able to torch those coverages as a scorer. If the Hawks can get Bogdan Bogdanovic or Kobe Bufkin back to take some pressure off of Young, it would certainly be better for his numbers as he is on pace to record a career-high 36.5 minutes per game. Still, as things stand, Young’s efficiency as a scorer has largely not shown up for the Hawks.

I’d expect things to be better during the group stage games. In pressure situations, Young has shown the ability to elevate his game when healthy. The continued development of Risacher should also take some pressure off of Young.

Risacher on the Rise

It’s hard to watch the first few games of Zaccharie Risacher and not be excited about what his future could entail. Although he has not been altogether consistent so far, Risacher showed a flash of his potential with his 33 points, seven boards, three rebounds and three steals against the Knicks. He has also made consistently good progress as a defender and his free throw shooting numbers are indication of a strong shooting baseline. He is only shooting 65.7% from the charity stripe, but closer inspection reveals that he has largely been fine at the line outside of his game against the Knicks. He missed four free throws during that game, which pulls his numbers down severely.

Teams are going to largely ignore Risacher in favor of funneling their defense in on Johnson and Young. The Knicks had plenty of capable defenders to throw on Risacher and it largely didn’t matter. He has normalized after that explosion, but if he can carry that over into an encore performance or two in this stretch of the season, he will be a major factor for the Hawks.

Onyeka Okongwu – Clint Capela Combo

Much of the offseason discourse about the Hawks concerned the center position. Both Capela and Okongwu are capable players, but there’s a reasonable argument that it would make a lot of sense for Atlanta to move on and start Okongwu full-time. In the absence of that solution, it is best that both players showcase their value to the team. So far, that is what has happened for Atlanta.

Capela’s offense is limited, but he’s converting on the opportunities he does get. On shots that are 0-3 feet from the rim, he’s converting on 71.4% of those attempts. This is after a career-worst 63.6% from that same distance last season. He’s much more in line with his career averages and it gives him utility as a play finisher for the Hawks. With their rotation so banged up right now, Atlanta is short on reliable options and Capela fits that bill. His rebounding numbers are not as impressive as in prior seasons, but he is still a force on the boards.

Okongwu has improved as a passer, recording a career-high 12.2% assist percentage to start the season thus far. He has also shown up against tough opponents, recording 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Celtics largely as an interior scorer. His three-point shot is still developing, but most of those attempts are tough attempts from the corner. Furthermore, he is shooting a career-best 84% from the charity strip on a career-high number of attempts per night (5.7). He also seems to be drawing fouls at a higher rate when he is on offense, which indicates a heightened level of aggression as a scorer. That’s to say nothing of his versatility on defense as an athletic option to guard on the perimeter and down low in the post.

I think the centers have both largely filled useful roles for the Hawks and they can counter quite a bit of what they might see. Okongwu should take on a larger role against Boston and Chicago to match up with their shooting while Capela will feast against teams like the Wizards, who have non-shooters at their center spot.

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Atlanta, GA

MLS apologizes for falsely announcing Atlanta United transfer

Published

4 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

MLS apologizes for falsely announcing Atlanta United transfer

Major League Soccer apologized Thursday for publishing a story on its website that identified the wrong player as having transferred to one of its clubs, Atlanta United.

The league’s website, MLSSoccer.com, published a story Wednesday that falsely reported that Celtic FC and Japan forward Kyogo Furuhashi had been acquired by Atlanta. The article was quickly removed.

“Major League Soccer’s website mistakenly posted an article that named the wrong player as having signed with an MLS club,” the league said in a statement to The Athletic. “The article was immediately removed and corrected. MLS extends its sincere apologies to the impacted parties.”

The false report is no longer available, and the link now directs to an error message.

The mistake appears linked to Atlanta’s transfer hint for another player, US-born Cayman Togashi, a former Japanese youth international who spent his entire professional career in Japan. Atlanta teased on social media the arrival of a Japanese player, fueling those rumors even more.

The club later announced it signed Togashi through the 2025 season with an option for 2026. The 31-year-old signed on a free transfer from Sagan Tosu in Japan’s top flight.

Last month, the Daily Mail reported that Atlanta submitted a $12 million bid for Furuhashi. The club also recently named Ronny Delia, a former Celtic manager, as its head coach. Around the time of the false report by MLS, Furuhashi played in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Dundee United, coming on as a substitute for Adam Idah in the 62nd minute.

(Photo: Craig Foy / SNS Group via Getty Images)

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks vs Phoenix Suns: Spread and Final Score Predictions For Tonight’s Game

Published

11 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Atlanta Hawks vs Phoenix Suns: Spread and Final Score Predictions For Tonight’s Game

The Atlanta Hawks are wrapping up their six game road trip tonight in Phoenix with a matchup against the Suns. It has not been the best road trip for the Hawks, as they have gone 2-3 on it, but they have been playing most of the trip without star forward Jalen Johnson. That is going to continue tonight as the Hawks will be without Johnson for the third straight game and the fourth time in the last five games. It has not been pretty for the Hawks without Johnson, but they are going to be facing one of the most disappointing teams in the league tonight.

Phoenix came into the season with title hopes and after a hot start, it looked like the hire of former Hakws coach Mike Budenholzer was paying off for the Suns. It has not gone well though. This team is currently outside of the top ten in the Western Conference, Bradley Beal is now coming off the bench, and Devin Booker is not playing up to his usual All-NBA level. This team has talent, but they have not shown it on a night-to-night basis, as evidenced from their loss to Charlotte on Tuesday. Even without Johnson, the Hawks have a chance tonight due to the Sun’s inconsistency.

Coming into tonight’s game, the Hawks are 6th in the NBA in PPG, 14th in FG%, 17th in 3PA, 19th in 3P%, 5th in FTA, 24th in turnovers, and 6th in rebounding. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 15th in points per 100 possessions, 18th in effective field goal percentage, 19th in turnover percentage, 8th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 9th in free throw rate.

Currently, the Hawks rank 28th in PPG allowed, 22nd in field goal percentage allowed, 30th in three-point attempts allowed, and 30th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 19th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 28th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Phoenix comes into this game ranked 17th in PPG, 12th in FG%, 14th in 3PA, 7th in 3p%, 11th in free throw attempts per game, 25th in rebounding, and 10th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Suns are 13th in points per 100 possessions, 10th in effective field goal%, 13th in turnover percentage, 27th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 6th in free throw rate.

Defensively, Phoenix ranks 19th in PPG allowed, 14th in FG% allowed, 15th in 3PA allowed, and 21st in 3P% allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Phoenix is 23rd in points allowed per 100 possessions and 15th in effective field goal% allowed.

With Johnson out tonight, it is going to be on the shoulders of Trae Young to try and lift the Hawks to a win. Young had another 20-point, 20-assist game on Tuesday vs Utah, finishing with 24 points and 20 assists. Phoenix will likely try to guard him with rookie Ryan Dunn, who is a very solid defender, but Young is a different test entirely.

Jan 7, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) shoots an open jumpsuit against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images / Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Dyson Daniels was overshadowed a bit by Young’s performance and game-winning shot, but Daniels flirted with a triple-double on Tuesday night. Daniels scored 16 points, had seven assists, and six rebounds on 7-12 shooting. He can be the lead guard and playmaker whenever Young goes to the bench and has done a decent job of that. Daniels will also be tasked with guarding Booker tonight (which is not an easy task) and trying to limit his scoring.

Zaccharie Risacher had one of his better performances this season on Tuesday night vs Utah. He scored 14 points on 6-14 from the field and pulled in six rebounds. With Johnson out, it might be Risacher guarding Kevin Durant tonight, though the Hawks could use Vit Krejci to do that.

Krejci had a solid game for Atlanta on Tuesday, scoring 13 points and shooting 3-4 from three and I would expect him to get the start with Johnson out again.

Clint Capela had a monster game on Tuesday, shooting 9-11 from the field and scoring 18 points. He finished at the rim well and also had three blocks and Phoenix is not a good rebounding team. If the Hawks win, I would bet that Capela is very key in making that happen. With Onyeka Okongwu questionable and Larry Nance still out, it might be the first time for Dominick Barlow to play an actual role on this team as the backup to Capela. If Okongwu plays, Barlow is unlikely to see minutes.

The bench will be led by De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Garrison Matthews (as well as whoever is the backup center). Until the fourth quarter, Bogdanovic and Matthews were having a poor shooting night, but Bogdanovic nailed two big shots to keep the Hawks in the game. Combined, they shot 4-15 from three and it is tough for Atlanta to win when two of their best shooters shoot like that. Hunter bounced back from a pair of rough games and scored 17 points and hit four of his seven three-point attempts against the Jazz. The bench will have a huge role tonight in helping the Hawks to earn a victory.

How the Hawks are able to guard Durant might be the biggest mismatch in the game. Durant is close to unguardable, but the Hawks don’t really have a great option in the starting lineup and I would expect to see Hunter get a lot of minutes on him when he comes off the bench. Atlanta could not guard Lauri Markkanen on Tuesday due to his size and shooting combination and they could struggle with Durant for the same reason.

According to Fanduel Sportsbook, the Suns are 6.5 point favorites tonight and the total is set at 238.5.

This is going to be a tough matchup for the Hawks without Jalen Johnson. The Hawks struggle to replace his versatile skillset when he is out and that is going to be a problem tonight against Durant and the Suns. Phoenix is inconsistent and can lose on any given night, but I like them to squeak by the Hawks tonight.

Final Score: Suns 120, Hawks 115 (Hawks +6.5 and Under)

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Atlanta, GA

Atlantans prepare steep driveways for winter weather

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Atlantans prepare steep driveways for winter weather

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Winter weather on the horizon has people living in metro Atlanta with steep driveways preparing for ice.

Steep driveways are a common sight in Sandy Springs and there are solutions to not being stuck during the storm.

Amit Gambhir is one driver with a steep driveway. “It hasn’t been too bad. That we’ve seen. I know we’re thinking that could be the case in a couple of days,” said Gambhir.

“I want to say it was eight hours. I was one of the lucky ones it wasn’t overnight but it was a long time,” said Gambhir.

Gambhir doesn’t plan on being stuck in his car again.

“I do not plan to be out and about very much Thursday night through however long this lasts,” said Gambhir.

“If you do need to get out of your house and out of the neighborhood, probably Ice Melt, so you can get your car where it needs to go. So snow shovels or Ice Melt,” said Andy Jones, a manager and owner of Intown Ace Hardware.

Ice Melt is a chemical substance that melts snow and ice by lowering the freezing point of water.

“It essentially melts the ice and then that melted ice will run off your driveway so it won’t refreeze and you’re not slipping,” said Jones.

Salting driveways is another option.

“Go ahead and pull down to the street and park your car on the street the night before,” said Jones.

“I think we’re just going to hold steady here and play it safe,” said Jones.

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