The Atlanta Hawks turned in a sub-optimal performance in the first game after the All-Star break, falling to the Indiana Pacers by more than twenty points on Friday evening. After two days off with a sour taste, the team returns home for a Monday night clash against the Los Angeles Lakers.
This is the season finale between the two teams, with the Lakers exploding for 132 points in a lopsided contest back on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. If anything, the Lakers are actually playing improved basketball since that particular evening and, while the Hawks are fully capable of knocking off the visitors, the home team will need a better effort on Monday than that of Friday in Indianapolis.