Memphis Grizzlies vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction: The Grizzlies are on fire, the Hawks inconsistent

The NBA Regular Season has been in full flow and we have witnessed some incredible battles already. As we head deeper, the intensity level will rise up further and we will see scenarios such as trades, injuries, and fatigue will center stage. As of now, for the Memphis Grizzlies winning has taken center stage and they will take on a rather inconsistent Atlanta Hawks outfit. 

The Grizzlies come into this game after eking out a strong 114:103 win against the Detroit Pistons as Jaren Jackson scooped up 20 points. They are on a five-game winning streak which has propelled them to an impressive 17 wins and nine losses record. They have taken advantage of a sizeable home stretch and there is no doubt that things are clicking in all spheres. The return of Jaren Jackson has bolstered the defensive end whereas with Ja Morant at the helm, the offense has been getting it done.

The upcoming window has some tough affairs, against teams like the Warriors, the Suns, the Bucks, etc. so it will be interesting to see how the team carries the momentum. Their current run is reminiscent of their play last season when the team depth picked it up in the absence of Ja Morant. The Grizzlies are the number one rebounding team in the league which having the fifth-best defense in terms of the opponent’s field goal percentage. They have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league while their offense has a lot of firepower, both inside and outside.

The Hawks enter the fray after defeating the Bulls 122:121 as Bogdan Bogdanovic inserted 28 points. Bogdan has scored 31, 28 in the last two games and has returned just a week ago or so but the team is currently hit with two major injuries as their two high-flyers DeJounte Murray and John Collins have been out. The team lost their way a bit even before these two got injured. They started with seven wins and three losses but have lost ten and won just seven game since then, thus they are just a game above the 50% win record.

For all his heroics, involving a strong shooting stroke, an impressive driving game, and terrific vision, Trae Young’s field goal percentage is down by 6% overall and he has shot below 30% from deep. This has hurt the team at times and they have the tenth worst offensive rating in the league which hasn’t helped an improved defense. Despite having Clint Capela, they have been outrebounded at times while their paint defense hasn’t been enough. The core is strong with Murray, Young, Huerter, Collins, Capela, Bogdanovic, Okongwu, and Griffin but the Hawks will need more from Young in terms of efficiency.

• Grizzlies: OUT: Desmond Bane, Danny Green. QUESTIONABLE: Ja Morant, Steven Adams, Jake LaVaria;
• Hawks: OUT: DeJounte Murray, John Collins.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Ja Morant(29-36 Points)-QUES, Trae Young(26-33 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Steven Adams(12-15 Rebounds)-QUES, Clint Capela(12-16 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Trae Young(10-13 Assists), Ja Morant(8-11 Assists)-QUES

The availability of Ja Morant is huge here but remember this Grizzlies team has Tyus Jones come off the bench and he is truly a starting level PG who has always done a great job of covering for Morant. The Hawks don’t have the same depth as the Grizzlies but Bogdanovic has hit one of his sweet streaks and Trae keeps a lot of defenders glued. However, with Jaren Jackson patrolling the area, things will be tricky for the Hawks. I see the Grizzlies taking control here whether Morant plays or not. I predict a scorleine of 122:113 in the favor of Memphis.