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Hawks vs Lakers preview: Atlanta looks to bounce back in Los Angeles

The road trip rolls on for the Atlanta Hawks who look to get back on track in Los Angeles against the Lakers

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks look to bounce back from their worst performance of the season Sunday night when they continue their road trip with a stop in Los Angeles to face the Lakers.

Atlanta suffered a blowout loss in Utah on Friday and after a 9-2 start, have suddenly dropped four of their last five outings. The Hawks defense has been lights out and they still lead the NBA in defensive rating at 96.5. Offensively, things have been headed south. Atlanta ranks 21st in offensive rating at 101.1 for the season but that number is at 91.1 over the last five games.

Atlanta is still seventh in the league in field goal percentage but a lack of consistent three-point shooting and an increase in turnovers have short circuited the offense of late. The Hawks are tied for 21st in the league in three-point percentage at 33.7 but are shooting just 29 percent from three-point range over the last five games.

Turnovers have been an issue throughout the season with the Hawks ranking 29th in the league averaging 17.4 per game. Atlanta has actually cleaned that up a bit over their last five games but with the shooting drop off, it hasn’t mattered.

Lakers come into Sunday’s game having lost two straight and with injury concerns. Los Angeles will be without point guard D’Angelo Russell who is out with a knee injury. Julius Randle (hip) and Nick Young (toe) sat out Friday’s loss to Golden State. Both are listed as game-time decisions for Sunday’s game but Randle failed to make it through Saturday’s practice.

Los Angeles won the first meeting between the two clubs as the Lakers outscored the Hawks 72-56 in the second half for a 123-116 win. Russell led the L.A. with 23 points while former Hawks guard Lou Williams scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Sunday, November 27, 9:30 p.m. ET

Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: Fox Sports Southeast

Radio: 92.9 “The Game” FM