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After a grueling stretch of four games in five nights (with three on the road), the Atlanta Hawks return to Philips Arena after a much-needed day of rest. While a 2-2 mark over a four-game period is not a "positive" for a playoff team, the Hawks certainly can't be too angry about the results, and with three games at home this week, the schedule is a lot more forgiving.
The first leg of this three-game homestand is a match-up against Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder and, for good measure, the game takes place with Jeezy serving as a special guest for halftime and postgame concerts. Those watching the game from afar are probably unmoved about the in-arena music, but there is a certain level of buzz surrounding this particular match-up, and a lot of that has to do with the opponent.
The Thunder visit Atlanta only once a year, and with two of the top ten players in the NBA on the roster, they are must-see TV in every respect. Oklahoma City enters with an 11-6 record that isn't awe-inspiring, but the Thunder are outscoring opponents by 7.6 points per 100 possessions, which is a figure that ranks third in the NBA. For good measure, OKC has won four straight games, and with Durant back and healthy, they are a thoroughly dangerous opponent.
Without the benefit of a full injury report, we are left to speculate as to the availability of Tiago Splitter, but the rest of the Atlanta roster appears healthy and ready to go. Westbrook and Durant are big-time issues when it comes to match-ups, and we should see a varied diet of options against both players, including both point guards (Jeff Teague, Dennis Schröder) and Kent Bazemore against Westbrook, with Thabo Sefolosha, Paul Millsap and Bazemore could see time against Durant.
It should be a fun evening at Philips Arena, and the Hawks have a nice opportunity to bounce back from a woeful performance at the end of the four-game, five-night slog. Stay tuned throughout the day for all the latest.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, November 30, 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: Fox Sports Southeast, NBA League Pass
Radio: 92.9 "The Game" FM