OKC Thunder finish road trip vs. home sizzling Hawks – preview
Key Stats:
As of this writing, the Hawks offense (110.6) ranks sixth, their defense ranks 27th (110.7), and their net rating is a minus -0.1 net differential which ranks 18th.
In contrast, the OKC Thunder ranks 29th offensively (99.2),13th defensively (106.0 ), and 26th in net rating with a minus -6.8 net differential.
Scoring:
The Hawks score 109.4 per game ranking eighth overall and allow opponents to score 109.2 which ranks 21st.
The Thunder ranks 29th in scoring per game with 98.6 points and allows opponents to score 105.6 points per game ranking 12th.
Rebounding:
On the glass, the Hawks grab 46.2 rebounds per game ranking tied for eighth overall. Offensively, Atlanta pulls down 10.9 boards which also ranks eighth overall.
OKC ranks first in the association averaging 48.4 total boards per match and grabs 10.7 offensive boards per match which rank ninth overall.
Dime dishers:
As for playmaking, Atlanta averages 23.4 dimes per match ranking in a two-way tie with the Wizards for 13th. OKC creates the fewest assists in the association with 20 per match.
Perimeter:
The Hawks are one of the better perimeter teams in the association shooting with an efficiency of 36. 4 percent ranking fifth overall. They attempt 32.1 deep balls per game connecting on 11.7 of them.
In contrast, the OKC Thunder ranks 29th shooting 30.9 percent while attempting 38.6 long ball attempts and connecting on 11.9 of them.
Turnovers:
The Hawks protect the ball and create the third-fewest turnovers per game with 12.7.
OKC vacillates between weeks of solid ball protection followed by a week where they struggle to not turn over the ball. Overall they cough it up 14.7 times per game which ranks 20th.
Miscellaneous Categories:
Given the depth, youth, and athleticism on this Hawks squad it’s odd the Hawks don’t rank higher than 12th in any of the offensive miscellaneous categories.
While the Hawks do a good job of not turning over the ball themselves they also don’t generate points off turnovers they create.
Particularly concerning is how poorly they fare getting out in transition to score on the fast break.
Their best area is scoring in the paint which could be tied to John Collins and Clint Capela manning the paint and dominating in that area.
- Points off turnovers: 13.8 – rank 28th
- Second Chance points: 12.6 – rank 16th
- Fastbreak points: 8.8 – rank 29th
- Points in the paint: 46.1 – rank 12th
Defensively it’s slightly better productivity with the Hawks limiting opponents in second-chance scoring.
- Points off turnovers: 15.9 – rank in a tie for 12th
- Second Chance points: 11.5 – rank in a three-way tie for 8th
- Fast Break points: 12.7 – rank 20th
- Points in the paint: 46.8 – rank in a three-way tie for 21st
NOTE: stats were taken on November 21st from NBA official site and could experience shifts as games tip-off.