The Memphis Grizzlies are gunning for a clean sweep of the preseason, as they go up against the Atlanta Hawks again this Sunday. The Hawks want to avenge that loss and get a morale-boosting win just before the regular season.
Catch this game live on Sunday at 9 AM, Manila time
HOME TEAM: Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been on a roll in the preseason, as they have won all three of their assignments, thus far. The Grizzlies defeated Atlanta last Friday, 128-106, with former Oregon Ducks star Dillon Brooks leading the way.
Brooks had 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers. The Grizzlies will look to be just as hot from behind the arc in the second meeting with Atlanta after knocking down 19 threes on Friday. Memphis is making 13.7 3-pointers on 33.3 percent accuracy in the preseason.
Memphis’ offense has exploded the last two games, it averaged 125.5 points and 15.0 3-pointers. While that’s just a small sample, the momentum could definitely carry over into the rematch with the Hawks. Another thing to watch out for the Grizzlies this Sunday is the battle for the starting shooting guard spot, currently still being contested by De’Anthony Melton, Grayson Allen, Desmond Bane.
ROAD TEAM: Atlanta Hawks
Could the upcoming season be the one where De’Andre Hunter will have his breakout? The former Virginia Cavaliers star had a so-so rookie campaign in the pros last season, but he’s showing tons of promise in the preseason.
He is leading the Hawks with 18.3 points on 56.3 percent shooting from the field through three games. Hunter led the Hawks with 22 points (8-15 FG) in the loss to the Grizzlies. But the Hawks would also like to see their own Splash Brothers wannabe project to rebound from an inefficient performance. Trae Young went 4 of 15 for 15 points in the Memphis game, while Bogdan Bogdanovic made just 4-of-11 shots for nine points.
In any case, there’s nothing to be overly concerned about for this Atlanta team, which should be among the most exciting teams to watch in the regular season, given all the moves they’ve made in the offseason. The Hawks are 70.0 to win the NBA title in the 2020-21 NBA season.
PREDICTIONS:
Expect a high-scoring game, as both the Grizzlies and the Hawks try to loosen up in the final game before the regular season. The firepower of the Hawks will be on full display in this contest, as they come away with a 125-118 victory.
