There’s an interconference matchup on the hardwood as a pair of teams take the floor in search of a victory in the Big Easy. The Atlanta Hawks are on the road as they make the trip south to take on the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night. Atlanta earned a 130-121 home win over Washington in their previous contest Wednesday night, failing to cover the line as a 9.5-point favorite. New Orleans faced Detroit at home Thursday night in their previous game, earning a 125-116 home win and covering the line as a 4.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Hawks own a 22-21 advantage but the Pelicans earned a 116-107 home win in the most recent matchup on February 7, 2023.

Atlanta Hawks Seeking Fourth Straight Win

Atlanta started the year 0-2 but earned a third straight win as they took down Washington at home Wednesday night. The Hawks entered Friday 3-2 on the season and held a half-game lead over Orlando for the top spot in the Southeast Division. Against Washington, Atlanta trailed by five after the opening quarter before outscoring the Wizards 34-21 in the second quarter to lead by eight at the half. The Hawks led by as many as 26 in the second half and didn’t let Washington closer than nine in the second half en route to the win. Atlanta shot 50% from the floor, including nine of 32 from three-point range, and dominated the glass by a 57-35 margin. Those numbers helped offset the fact that the Hawks allowed the Wizards to shoot 50.5% from the field. Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 24 points and eight assists in the victory.

The Hawks enter this contest 2^nd in scoring offense by averaging 122.8 points per game. Atlanta is 15^th in rebounding by collecting 45 boards a night while the team stands 7^th by dishing out 27.6 assists per contest. Atlanta is 23^rd in the league in scoring defense as they allow opponents to score 117.2 points per game this season. Trae Young is second on the team with 21.6 points and 10 assists per game this season. De’Andre Hunter chips in 18 points a game while Dejounte Murray pours in 21.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and six assists a night. Clint Capela (10.4 points, 10.8 rebounds), AJ Griffin, Onyeka Okongwu (10.6 points, 6.2 boards), Saddiq Bey (11.6 points), Jalen Johnson (13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (12 points) are key rotation pieces for coach Quin Snyder. Atlanta is 4^th in the league in field goal percentage by hitting 49.2% of their shots from the floor this season. The Hawks are 23^rd in threes per game as they hit 11 per contest and stand 17^th in three-point percentage as they hit 34.4% of their attempts from beyond the arc.

New Orleans Pelicans Look to Defend Home Floor

New Orleans earned a home win over Detroit Thursday night to earn their second straight victory. The Pelicans entered Friday 4-1 on the season and stood second in the Southwest Division, half a game behind the Mavericks for the top spot. Against Detroit, New Orleans used a 13-0 run in the first quarter to turn a 17-15 deficit into a 28-17 with 4:36 to play in the stanza and led the rest of the way. The Pelicans were up six after the opening quarter before outscoring the Pistons 37-20 in the second quarter to lead by 23 at the half. New Orleans didn’t let Detroit closer than seven in the second half en route to the win. The Pelicans shot 48.8% from the field, including 14 of 32 from three-point range, and hit 33 of 35 free throws to offset a 48-36 beating on the glass. CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 33 points as one of five players in double figures in the win.

On the season, the Pelicans are 20^th in the league in scoring offense as they average 108.8 points per game on the season. New Orleans is 12^th in rebounding by collecting 45.6 boards a night while the team ranks 24^th in assists by dishing out 23 dimes a night. The Pelicans are 9^th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 108.6 points per game so far this year. Brandon Ingram puts up 22.5 points plus seven boards per contest this season while Zion Williamson adds 21.5 points plus 6.8 rebounds a night. CJ McCollum (23.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists), Jonas Valanciunas (14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds) and Jordan Hawkins are solid secondary scoring options. Herbert Jones (10.6 points), Matt Ryan, Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis Jr., Larry Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller are key pieces in the Pelicans’ rotation. New Orleans is 24^th in field goal percentage by shooting 44.1% from the field as a team this season. The Pelicans are 17^th in the league in threes per game as they knock down 12 triples per contest and stand 21^st in three-point shooting by hitting 33.7% percent from beyond the arc.

Trey Murphy III (knee) had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and is expected to be out until mid-November. Najj Marshall (knee) has a bone bruise and is expected to be out of action until mid-November. Jose Alvarado (ankle) has yet to take the floor this season and is out indefinitely. Ingram (knee) has missed the last three games and is considered questionable for this game. Watch for any information about his status heading into tip-off.