The Spurs are hosting the Hawks on Thursday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, San Antonio is favored by 1.5 points and this game carries a total of 232.5 points.
Below, I break down the matchup and provide a pick for the game.
Spurs vs. Hawks preview, prediction
The Spurs will be without Victor Wembanyama (calf) for a few weeks, but this team has been able to win each of its last two games with the superstar sidelined, making San Antonio 10-4 for the season. That being said, both of these victories came at home and were against very poor teams. The Spurs defeated the Kings by 13 points Sunday and then beat the Grizzlies by 10 points Tuesday.
Both these clubs are bottom-six teams in net rating this season. In that latter win over Memphis, the Grizzlies led for the majority of this contest but San Antonio won this game with an 11-0 run to finish the tilt.
The Wembanyama-less Spurs showed some vulnerability in this game and while their offense has actually been slightly better with Wembanyama off the floor this season, San Antonio’s defense has been much worse with the big man off the court, dropping 8.3 points in rating. Stephon Castle (hip) is also out tonight. With him and Wembanyama missing, De’Aaron Fox will continue to be the focal point of the Spurs’ offense, as he has led the team with 28 and 26 points in these last two, but facing the Hawks is a much more difficult test than going against the Kings and Grizzlies.
Atlanta will be without Trae Young (hamstring) for the 11th straight game. The Hawks have been great without the guard, especially on the defensive end. With Young inactive for the last 10, Atlanta is 7-3 and ranks ninth in net rating, while ranking fifth in defensive rating and 13th in offensive rating. The Hawks own a 5.4 net rating with Young off the floor this season, which is better than the Spurs’ 3.4 net rating with Wembanyama off the floor for perspective.
Jalen Johnson has been outstanding with Young sidelined, leading the Hawks with 22.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 rebounds per game, and Johnson should thrive tonight with Wembanyama absent. Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is questionable, but this isn’t much of a concern for Atlanta, as the team is 4-2 with the veteran inactive this season and Onyeka Okongwu has been great in Porzingis’ absence, averaging 20 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game with Porzingis inactive.
Spurs vs. Hawks pick, best bet
The Spurs will be a confident group after getting two straight wins without Wembanyama, but with an improved Hawks team in town, reality should set in tonight that San Antonio desperately needs Wembanyama.
Atlanta is 6-1 on the road since Young got hurt and the Hawks should get a win in this matchup.
