The Atlanta Hawks are gearing up for a critical two-game series against the Toronto Raptors, starting on the evening of March 23, 2024. This matchup offers the Hawks an opportunity to break the Raptors’ recent dominance. The teams will face off again on March 25, both games taking place in Toronto. The Raptors have secured four consecutive victories over the Hawks, including two wins earlier this season, with scores of 138-118 on October 22 and 109-97 on November 7.
Atlanta enters this series after a strong performance against the New York Knicks, winning 111-99 on March 22. This marks the Hawks’ second straight victory, thanks in part to the impressive play of Jalen Johnson. He achieved a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, setting a new franchise record for the most triple-doubles in a single season. Johnson expressed confidence in the team’s defensive capabilities, 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.”
On the other hand, the Raptors are looking to bounce back after a narrow 106-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets, who played without star player Nikola Jokic. Toronto struggled offensively, shooting just 37% from the field, tying their season low. Despite this setback, Scottie Barnes continued to showcase his talent, recording his eighth career triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists against Denver. “When things are going right, things are going right,” Barnes said, highlighting his focus on rebounding and fast breaks.
The Raptors are currently in the middle of a five-game homestand, having won two of their first three games. They will look to improve their record against the Hawks and solidify their position in the playoff race. Coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly regarding maintaining consistent performance. While RJ Barrett has returned to the lineup after missing 15 games due to a knee injury, Jakob Poeltl remains sidelined with a lower back strain.
For Atlanta, the recent victories have been a welcome turnaround after a difficult stretch in which they lost seven consecutive games. The Hawks’ offense has found its rhythm, with players like Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each contributing 23 points against the Knicks. Alexander-Walker noted the positive atmosphere within the team, saying, “It’s just fun because we are playing free.”
Despite their recent successes, the Hawks will be without star player Trae Young, who is missing his third consecutive game due to a right quadriceps contusion. Hawks coach Quin Snyder emphasized the importance of playing a style that suits the team’s strengths, focusing on defense to create opportunities for transition plays.
As the Hawks prepare for their Toronto visit, both teams are keenly aware of the stakes. With the Raptors looking to maintain their winning streak and the Hawks eager to end their current losing trend against Toronto, the upcoming games promise to deliver high-stakes basketball action.