Los Angeles Clippers vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction: Can Onyeka Okongwu Step Up Tonight?
The Los Angeles Clippers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Can Onyeka Okongwu step up for the Hawks tonight? Ben Rajavuori answers.
Ben Rajavuori - February 5, 2024, 4:10 PM EST
5 minLos Angeles Clippers vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction: Can Onyeka Okongwu Step Up Tonight?
The Los Angeles Clippers end a seven-game road trip today in Atlanta as they face the Hawks. The Clippers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA, as they are 8-1 over their last nine games. The Clippers have battled into third place in the Western Conference with a record of 33–15 overall. However, they are on the back end of a back-to-back after playing the Heat in Miami last night. The Hawks enter this game with a 22–27 record and are 10th place in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks have won four games in a row, all four of which were at home, and they finish off their home stand against the Clippers tonight. What should we expect in this game?
Clippers vs. Hawks DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: February 5, 2024
- Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Atlanta Hawks Prediction
This is a tough spot for the Clippers tonight. They had a battle with Miami last night and have now been on the road for two weeks. While they have been on an impressive run, they are finishing a long road trip on a back-to-back before going home for just one day of rest before playing the Pelicans on Wednesday. Also, big man Ivaca Zubac is questionable for tonight‘s game as he is still dealing with a right calf strain that caused him to miss most of January before returning against the Heat yesterday. He only played 18 minutes in yesterday‘s game and given that he is trying to manage an injury, the Clippers may not use him much in tonight‘s game, if at all.
That leads me to the Hawk's backup center Onyeka Okongwu. Starting center Clint Capela is out for the Hawks tonight with a left adductor strain. He will be reevaluated in 7-10 days, but until then, Onyeka Okongwu will get a lot of action in his place. With DeAndre Hunter also battling an injury, Okongwu will surely be starting this game. Clint Capela has only missed two games all season, and in those two games, Okongwu had 16 and 19 points. That is even more impressive when you consider he was playing the Cavaliers in Sixers in those two games, who are two top 10 defenses in the NBA. Okongwu has also done very well in his minimal time starting this season. He has only started three games the entire season, but he has averaged 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in those games. with Capela sidelined for the time being, Okongwu should get the start and be around this average. The line for Okongwu is only 11.5 points tonight. His average on the season is 9.6 points, which makes this line sound high, but when you consider the injuries both to the Hawks and the Clippers, this is a very good matchup for him tonight. Okongwu should be facing the backup for the Clippers, Mason Plumlee, and Okongwu should also get lots of playing time with Cappela out. 11.5 points is a very doable line for him to hit in this matchup tonight. The line is on the move but is still 11.5 at FanDuel. Take it quick!
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Atlanta Hawks Pick
3 Unit Pick: Onyeka Okongwu Over 11.5 Points -120 CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH SPORTSBOOK HAS THE BEST ODDS
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