Amidst offensive challenges three weeks ago, Atlanta's Saddiq Bey received encouragement from coach Quin Snyder to maintain his shooting confidence.
Follow Us
Amidst offensive challenges three weeks ago, Atlanta’s Saddiq Bey received encouragement from coach Quin Snyder to maintain his shooting confidence. Following Snyder’s advice, Bey persisted, leading to a resurgence in his offensive prowess, much to the benefit of the Hawks. On Monday night, Bey and the Hawks will take to the court for their last home game before the All-Star break as they face the Chicago Bulls. Both teams are locked in a playoff position battle, with the Bulls currently holding the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, just one game ahead of the tenth-seeded Hawks.
This matchup marks the second of three encounters between the teams this season. The Bulls claimed victory in their initial clash with a 118-113 win in Chicago on December 26th. Following their series of matchups last season, which resulted in a split with each team winning two games, the conclusion of this season’s series is scheduled for April 1st in Chicago.
Since being acquired at the trade deadline a year ago, Saddiq Bey has played a significant role in Atlanta’s resurgence. Despite missing a game-and-a-half due to an ankle sprain, Bey has made a strong impact since his return, averaging 21.3 points per game over four games and boasting an impressive 48.1 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. His struggles, including a forgettable 0-for-12 shooting performance against Cleveland on January 20th, are now a distant memory.
For the Hawks, Capela (thigh injury), Gueye (back injury), Hunter (knee injury), and Mathews (illness) will not be playing the game. As for the Bulls, Ball (knee injury), LaVine (ankle injury), and Williams (foot injury) will be sitting this one out.
Atlanta’s Trae Young is just three 3-pointers away from equaling Mookie Blaylock’s record for the most treys in franchise history. Young’s impressive shooting performance on Saturday, where he nailed two triples, positions him within striking distance of Blaylock’s club record of 1,050.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are rebounding from a tough 114-108 overtime defeat against Orlando on Saturday. Currently in the midst of a four-game road trip leading up to the All-Star Game, the team is grappling with the challenges of fatigue.
Andre Drummond encountered foul trouble, limiting his playing time to just 17 minutes against the Magic. His formidable presence on the glass could pose a challenge for the Hawks, given his average of 8.5 rebounds per game. Notably, Drummond dominated with a season-high 25 rebounds in their initial encounter on December 26th. Moreover, he has secured double-digit rebounds in two of his last three games, underscoring his impact in controlling the boards.
Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
