Through 3 Quarters
The Atlanta Hawks were expected to win this one, and they are just one quarter away from fulfilling that expectation. After three quarters it’s looking more and more like their high-powered offense is just too much for the Toronto Raptors as the Hawks lead 104-74.
Atlanta has been riding high on the performance of point guard Trae Young, who has posted a double-double on 37 points and 11 dimes along with four boards. Toronto has been relying on center Precious Achiuwa, who has 17 points in addition to six rebounds, and point guard Fred VanVleet, who has 24 points and seven assists. Achiuwa does need to be careful, however, as he is in foul trouble with four. VanVleet has also picked up four fouls.
Halftime deficits have spelled doom for Toronto, who have lost 80% of the games in which they were down going into the the fourth quarter.
Who’s Playing
Toronto @ Atlanta
Current Records: Toronto 32-26; Atlanta 28-31
What to Know
The Atlanta Hawks will be returning home after a two-game road trip. They will take on the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at State Farm Arena. Both teams took a loss in their last game, so they’ll have plenty of motivation to get the ‘W.’
Atlanta was close but no cigar on Thursday as they fell 112-108 to the Chicago Bulls. Despite their defeat, the Hawks got to see several of their players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. center Clint Capela, who posted a double-double on 17 rebounds and 14 points, was the best among equals.
Meanwhile, a victory for Toronto just wasn’t in the stars on Friday as the team never even grasped a temporary lead. They were dealt a punishing 125-93 loss at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets. Toronto was in a tough position by the half, with the score already sitting at 70-47. Point guard Fred VanVleet wasn’t much of a difference maker for Toronto; VanVleet finished with only eight points on 3-for-12 shooting in his 29 minutes on the court.
Atlanta is expected to win this handily, but they should have beaten the Houston Rockets Dec. 13 easily too and instead slipped up with a 132-126. In other words, don’t count the Raptors out just yet.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia
- TV: The Sports Network
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Ticket Cost: $40.00
Odds
The Hawks are a 4.5-point favorite against the Raptors, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Hawks, as the game opened with the Hawks as a 2-point favorite.
Over/Under: -110
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Series History
Toronto have won 16 out of their last 22 games against Atlanta.
- Feb 04, 2022 – Toronto 125 vs. Atlanta 114
- Jan 31, 2022 – Toronto 106 vs. Atlanta 100
- Apr 13, 2021 – Atlanta 108 vs. Toronto 103
- Mar 11, 2021 – Atlanta 121 vs. Toronto 120
- Feb 06, 2021 – Atlanta 132 vs. Toronto 121
- Jan 28, 2020 – Toronto 130 vs. Atlanta 114
- Jan 20, 2020 – Toronto 122 vs. Atlanta 117
- Nov 23, 2019 – Toronto 119 vs. Atlanta 116
- Feb 07, 2019 – Toronto 119 vs. Atlanta 101
- Jan 08, 2019 – Toronto 104 vs. Atlanta 101
- Nov 21, 2018 – Toronto 124 vs. Atlanta 108
- Mar 06, 2018 – Toronto 106 vs. Atlanta 90
- Jan 24, 2018 – Toronto 108 vs. Atlanta 93
- Dec 29, 2017 – Toronto 111 vs. Atlanta 98
- Nov 25, 2017 – Toronto 112 vs. Atlanta 78
- Mar 10, 2017 – Atlanta 105 vs. Toronto 99
- Dec 16, 2016 – Atlanta 125 vs. Toronto 121
- Dec 03, 2016 – Toronto 128 vs. Atlanta 84
- Apr 07, 2016 – Atlanta 95 vs. Toronto 87
- Mar 30, 2016 – Toronto 105 vs. Atlanta 97
- Mar 10, 2016 – Toronto 104 vs. Atlanta 96
- Dec 02, 2015 – Toronto 96 vs. Atlanta 86
Injury Report for Atlanta
- Lou Williams: Out (Hip)
- John Collins: Out (Foot)
Injury Report for Toronto
- Fred VanVleet: Game-Time Decision (Knee)
- OG Anunoby: Out (Finger)
KVSP