Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks 4/13/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks Matchup Preview (4/13/22)

The Charlotte Hornets (43-39) face the Atlanta Hawks (43-39) in the 9/10 seed play-in game. The winner will face the loser of the Cavaliers/Nets game for the right to the 8th seed, while the loser of this game will be eliminated. Hornets forward Gordon Hayward will be unavailable to play against the Hawks due to injury. He has appeared in one game since February 7th, but he wasn’t ready to return and aggravated his injury. Since February 7th, the Hornets are 6th in Offensive Rating (118.1) and 19th in Defensive Rating (114.9). Charlotte loves to run and gun on offense as evidenced by their 5th fastest pace and 6th transition offense. Their defense is mediocre because they lack rim protection and elite guard defense. The Hornets will simply rely on their high-octane offense and attempt to outscore the Hawks in a very high-scoring game. 

Just like the Hornets, the Hawks are an all-offense, bad-defense type of team. And similar to the Hornets, they have a key forward on the injury report in John Collins. Collins and Lou Williams are both out for the Hawks. The last game Collins played was on March 11th. Since then, they own the 3rd Offensive Rating (119.6) – the Hornets are 2nd – and the 14th Defensive Rating (114.3). Although their defensive numbers have been better without Collins, he is a far better defender than veteran Danilo Gallinari. He’s an athletic forward averaging 16.2 PPG and 7.8 RPG on a 52.6 FG% and 36.4 3PT%. The Hawks would receive a huge boost if Collins can get back on the court should they survive the play-in games. 

Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks Betting Odds

The Hawks and Hornets split their games this year with each team going 2-2. The Hornets won the most recent game 116-106 on March 16th behind LaMelo Ball’s 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Hornets won their two games by 10 and 3 points, while the Hawks won their two games by 10 and 22 points. For the season series, LaMelo Ball is averaging 18.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 8.6 APG. Trae Young produced 20.7 PPG and 10.7 APG for the Hawks in the series. In this game, the spread is -4.5 Hawks, while the over under is set at 236 points. I like the Hornets to upset the Hawks and advance. Trae Young has the edge over LaMelo Ball, but the rest of the roster for the Hornets is more versatile and dangerous. 

Three of the four games have been below 236 points, but I think the over hits here. The Hornets are 3rd in FGA and 6th in 3PA, while the Hawks are 7th in FG% and 2nd in 3PT%. Charlotte takes more shots, but Atlanta hits them at a higher clip. This game will be an offensive battle with both offenses unleashed. If I had to trust one of them to get a stop late in the game, it would be Charlotte, which is one of the main reasons I am going with them.

TV Schedule

Date: 4/13/22
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Arena: State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
Channel: ESPN

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Charlotte Hornets Starting Lineup

PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Miles Bridges
PF: PJ Washington
C: Mason Plumlee

Charlotte Hornets Analysis

The Hawks are 30th in transition defense, which doesn’t bode well for them considering they are facing LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Ball is an excellent ball handler with exceptional court awareness; he can orchestrate the offense in transition and half court. Bridges is a hyper-athletic forward who can dominate in space, but he has shown the ability to isolate and shoot off the dribble this year. Gallinari and Capela will struggle to keep up with the rapid pace, and Young cannot guard anybody even though he keeps up speed-wise. Rozier is also an underrated scorer with tight handles; he can blow past Kevin Huerter while also losing him on screens if the Hornets set plays for him. 

The Hawks biggest X factor is Bogdan Bogdanovic (15.1 PPG) off the bench, but Kelly Oubre Jr (15.0 PPG) can match his offensive production. He dropped 8 threes in the 4th quarter alone on January 5th; he can create his own shot off the dribble or spot up. Former 6MOY Montrezl Harrell will bring energy and opportunistic offense off the bench also. Overall, I like the Hornets bench and starting lineup more than the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineup

PG: Trae Young
SG: Kevin Huerter
SF: De’Andre Hunter
PF: Danilo Gallinari 
C: Clint Capela

Atlanta Hawks Analysis

The Hawks have the best player in this matchup: Trae Young. At 28.4 PPG and 9.7 APG, Young commands the offense with his range and playmaking. The Hornets own the 27th pick and roll ball handler defense; Young will be able to exploit Plumlee with ease. With Capela rolling to the basket and Young ready to shoot or pass, the Hawks will get great looks off of the pick. Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari can both shoot, but they are negative defenders. The Hawks need them to score efficiently in order for them to be a net positive on the court. 

Clint Capela is having a mediocre season compared to his standards, but he must turn in a dominant performance. Young is going to be targeted in the pick and roll, so Capela must float between both offensive players and neutralize the threat. His rim protection and rebounding will be vital. He is shooting 42.7% from the charity stripe, so he will probably be fouled off of the court in crunch time. Onyeka Okongwu (72.7 FT%) likely takes his place as the interior defender in this circumstance.