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Update: The Hawks have recalled Andrew White and Josh Magette from Erie.
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.
The Hawks also have rotation questions to answer, with Dewayne Dedmon benched for the second half against the Pacers and Ersan Ilyasova out the door to the buyout market. Beyond that, Malcolm Delaney will miss his second straight game with a knee ailment and DeAndre’ Bembry is listed as doubtful with an abdominal strain. With Andrew White and Josh Magette back in Erie, the bench will be shorthanded but, in the same breath, this isn’t a spot in which the Hawks are at a massive talent disadvantage.
According to the good folks in Las Vegas, the Lakers enter this game as small favorites but Atlanta can begin a four-game homestand with a win if the team plays well in this spot. Stay tuned throughout the day for all the latest.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, February 26, 7:30 pm ET
Location: Philips Arena
TV: Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports Go, NBA League Pass
Radio: 92.9 The Game (Atlanta)