Charlotte faces Atlanta, seeks to break 3-game skid

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Charlotte Hornets (17-52, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (30-38, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Atlanta; Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte aims to stop its three-game skid with a victory over Atlanta.

The Hawks have gone 7-6 against division opponents. Atlanta is 16-26 against opponents with a winning record.

The Hornets are 4-9 against the rest of the division. Charlotte is ninth in the Eastern Conference allowing just 116.7 points while holding opponents to 49.2% shooting.

The Hawks average 119.0 points per game, 2.3 more points than the 116.7 the Hornets give up. The Hornets’ 45.7% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.7 percentage points lower than the Hawks have given up to their opponents (49.4%).

The two teams match up for the third time this season. The Hornets defeated the Hawks 122-99 in their last matchup on Feb. 15. Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 26 points, and De’Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 21 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bogdan Bogdanovic is averaging 16.5 points for the Hawks. Dejounte Murray is averaging 25.8 points over the last 10 games.

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Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey (0) reacts after being fouled by Charlotte Hornets' Brandon Miller during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Nick Richards is shooting 68.4% and averaging 9.7 points for the Hornets. Miller is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 4-6, averaging 106.8 points, 42.8 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.6 points per game.

Hornets: 2-8, averaging 101.2 points, 39.4 rebounds, 22.4 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points.

INJURIES: Hawks: Trae Young: out (finger), Mouhamed Gueye: out (ucl), Kobe Bufkin: out (toe), Jalen Johnson: out (ankle), Saddiq Bey: out for season (knee), AJ Griffin: out (leg/ankle).

Hornets: LaMelo Ball: out (ankle), Seth Curry: out (ankle), Mark Williams: out (back), Cody Martin: out (ankle), Bryce McGowens: day to day (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.