Atlanta Hawks Travel to Barclays Center to Face Nets

The Atlanta Hawks venture to New York City to face the 1-9 Brooklyn Nets at the Barclay’s Center for a Tuesday evening tilt.

The Atlanta Hawks are in the midst of a two-game losing streak, and have lost three out of their last four contests. Against a struggling Nets team, it may provide the perfect medicine for curing whatever is ailing the team. The Hawks suffered a narrow defeat on Sunday at home against a Utah Jazz by a score of 97-96. With 3.8 seconds left and the team down by 1 point, Paul Millsap had an excellent look to sink a game-winner, but the shot bounced off the rim, giving the Jazz an emotional victory.

The Brooklyn Nets suffered a heart-breaking defeat on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, where they took the World Champions to over-time on the road and narrowly lost. Even though it was a defeat, it serves as a morale boost for the 1-win Nets, making Tuesday’s game more dangerous for the Atlanta Hawks.

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The biggest question for the Atlanta Hawks entering Tuesday’s game against Brooklyn is the status of SF Kent Bazemore, who suffered an undisclosed ankle injury on Sunday against Utah in the fourth quarter. Bazemore’s absence is huge blow for the Atlanta Hawks, as their new starting swingman’s play was excellent on both ends of the court as of late. Because of Thabo Sefolosha‘s ongoing recovery from injury, it is likely that Justin Holiday will receive the start against the Nets.

Thabo Sefolosha has yet to play more than 24 minutes in a game so far this season, and on the first night of a back-to-back, is likely to play diminished minutes off the bench. Since entering the rotation, Justin Holiday has shown his ability as a capable defender and a three-point threat. The Atlanta Hawks depth at the wing is an advantage, and they should weather the storm while Bazemore is recover if the injury is short-term. Also look for Lamar Patterson to benefit from Bazemore’s injury, as the rookie will probably see extended minutes on the wing.

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Perhaps we will also finally see some minutes given to Tim Hardaway Jr. on Tuesday. Hardaway has yet to appear in a game this season, but in lieu of Bazemore’s status going forward, Head Coach Mike Budenholzer may afford Hardaway minutes off of the bench.

Starting PG Jeff Teague sat out of Sunday’s game against Utah with an ankle sprain, and is once again unavailable for Tuesday’s game at Brooklyn. Dennis Schroder will undoubtedly get the start with Jeff Teague out, with Shelvin Mack backing up Schroder. Al Horford and Tiago Splitter are tasked with handling Brook Lopez, who frequently is a bane of the Atlanta Hawks’ existence. During last year’s playoff series, the Hawks were unable to contain the play of the Net’s center. Jarrett Jack also has a penchant for giving the Atlanta Hawks’ defense fits, so look for Dennis Schroder to try to slow him down.

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Tuesday’s contest is an important game for the Atlanta Hawks, as the team is getting their first taste of adversity in the nascent season. With both Kent Bazemore and Jeff Teague unavailable, Mike Budenholzer will have to utilize his team’s depth in order for the Hawks’ to get back into the win column and take care of business against a 1-9 Nets team. The onus is on the play of the Atlanta Hawks frontcourt when matching up against Brook Lopez, but if everything goes according to plan, this game should not present too much difficulty for Atlanta. The Hawks and Nets tip-off at 7:30 PM with Fox Sports Southeast handling the telecast.

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