The Atlanta Hawks are set to challenge the Toronto Raptors in a two-game series starting on March 15, 2024, in Toronto. This matchup presents an opportunity for the Hawks to break the Raptors’ recent dominance, as the Canadian team has won the last four encounters, including two victories in Atlanta earlier this season. The Hawks will also face the Raptors again on March 18, continuing their quest for a much-needed win.
In their most recent outing, the Hawks secured a 111-99 victory against the New York Knicks, marking their second consecutive win. Jalen Johnson was instrumental in this success, achieving a remarkable triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. This accomplishment set a new team record for the most triple-doubles in a single season. Johnson expressed optimism about his team’s defense, stating, “We’re defending at a high level, so I think if we can sustain that, we’ll give ourselves a chance every single game.”
The Raptors, who have had a short break following a disappointing 106-103 loss to the undermanned Denver Nuggets, will look to rebound against the Hawks. In that game, Toronto struggled offensively, shooting just 37% from the field, which matched their season low. Scottie Barnes, however, continued to shine, posting his eighth career triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Barnes commented on his recent form, saying, “When things are going right, things are going right… Just trying to lock in on rebounding, and when I score, it just happens to be there.”
Toronto’s roster is still adjusting as RJ Barrett returns from injury, having played in two of the last three games after missing a significant stretch due to a sprained right knee. Meanwhile, center Jakob Poeltl remains sidelined with a strained lower back. Coach Darko Rajakovic highlighted Barnes’ consistent performance, noting that he has the potential to contribute double-doubles every night, especially in points and rebounds.
The Raptors are currently 2-1 during a five-game homestand, which will conclude with the upcoming games against Atlanta. The Hawks, after enduring a seven-game losing streak, posted a strong 126-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves before their victory against the Knicks. Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each contributed 23 points in the latest game, with Alexander-Walker emphasizing the team’s positive dynamics: “It’s just fun, because we are playing free… I think those are little things that are infectious.”
The Hawks are still navigating challenges, notably the absence of their star player, Trae Young, who is sidelined with a right quadriceps contusion. In his absence, the team has demonstrated resilience and effective shooting, achieving 47.7% from the field against the Knicks, while limiting their opponents to just 37.1%. Coach Quin Snyder praised the team’s effort, saying, “It felt like we were really scrapping to get rebounds… we’ve got some guys that really enjoy passing the ball, and so we were able to generate some good shots, but as much as anything, we just guarded.”
As the Hawks prepare to face the Raptors, they aim to turn the tide in this competitive series and secure a critical win on the road.
