The Golden State Warriors were expected to be one of the leaders of the NBA entering the 2014-15 season. The Atlanta Hawks were expected to drift around the bottom of the standings after not making any big moves in free agency while also having an ownership scandal headline the summer. However, the mid-way point approaches, the Warriors are meeting expectations and the Hawks are rising above them as both teams sit at the top of the NBA before the All-Star break. Now they meet up in a head-to-head matchup in Atlanta Fride night to determine who is the best at the moment.
The Hawks and Warriors are responsible for the two longest win streaks in the NBA this season as the Warriors notched 16 wins straight and the Hawks are fresh off a 19-game win streak. Atlanta still has an 11-game home win streak, their lone loss recently coming on the road to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors have struggled recently away from the Bay Area, losing their last five of six on the road. Both teams have the same playing style of team basketball and now they will be put to the test in a matchup.
Golden State has the best offense in the league right now, but the Hawks are not far off as both teams are dealing with some sharp shooters. The Warriors average 111.1 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting thanks to the likes of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson who both rank in the top 10 in scoring. The Hawks do not have a player in the top 30 in that category, but still manage 103.4 points per game. Instead the entire Atlanta starting five was named January's Player of the Month.
Curry is coming off a big game against the Dallas Mavericks where he rattled off 51 points and 10 3-pointers. Thompson had the same type of performance two weeks ago with 52 points against the Sacramento Kings. The Hawks and Warriors have not played each other since March with Golden State winning the past five games. However, the Hawks are surprising people this season and hope to do so again on Friday.
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