The Atlanta Hawks (19-16) will visit the New Orleans Pelicans (14-22) at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday, Jan. 5 as the two teams face each other in a 2016-2017 regular season match.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Atlanta is currently on a four-game winning run and will look to extend it to five games against the struggling Pelicans in this match. The Hawks five of their last six games to climb to the fifth spot of the Eastern Conference table, seven-and-a-half games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Hawks routed the Orlando Magic, 111-92, during their most recent game on Wednesday held at the Amway Center, as per CBS Local Atlanta.
Four starters scored in double-digits for head coach Mike Budenholzer's squad, led by 18 points from Dennis Schroder, followed by 17 from Kent Bazemore, and 16 from Paul Millsap. Dwight Howard had a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 5-for-9 from the field in 30 minutes.
Off the bench, two players scored in double figures, namely Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malcolm Delaney who fired 12 and 11 points respectively.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans were tripped by the Cavs, 90-82, on the road at the Quicken Loans Arena on Monday night to snap a four-game winning run, Sporting News reported.
Anthony Davis had a monster double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds with two assists, one steal, and three blocked shots. However, Davis only shot 10-for-27 from the field.
Rookie Buddy Hield also scored 20 points along with five boards and two assists while veteran point guard Jrue Holiday contributed a double-double with 11 points and 13 assists with four rebounds and three steals.
With the loss, New Orleans dropped back to the 11th spot in the West, two games behind eighth-place squad Sacramento Kings.
The Pelicans are still without newly-acquired Donatas Motiejunas and veteran wingman Quincy Pondexter who are both out with separate injuries.
Prediction
The Hawks are 9-9 on the road this season while the Pelicans are 10-10 when playing at home. It would be a close fight between the two teams, but Atlanta is predicted to prevail.
