Game Preview: Hawks v Raptors

The Atlanta Hawks will play host to the Toronto Raptors on Friday at Philips
Arena. The Hawks (35-29) recently ended a three-game skid in a narrow victory
over the NBA-worst Nets on Wednesday, but still just boast a 2-3 record on their
current homestand, which will conclude with Friday’s matchup. As of Friday,
Atlanta sits rather comfortably as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference
standings, as they are two games ahead of the sixth-place Pacers and three games
behind Friday’s opponent, the Raptors (38-26). That makes this matchup an
important one for the Hawks trying to gain ground and gain home court advantage
with just 18 games to go in the regular season. The Raptors, on the other hand,
will be trying to extend their lead as the No. 4 seed in order to feel even more
secure in locking up home court advantage in the first round. Toronto, however,
has more to strive for than just keep that fourth spot, as they are currently
just 1.5 games behind the No. 3 seeded Wizards and 2.5 games behind the
second-place Celtics. With their next seven games against teams in playoff
contention, starting with the Hawks on Friday, it’s a crucial stretch for the
Raptors to separate themselves from the bottom half of the conference. This is
the third and final matchup between the Raptors and Hawks this season, with the
teams splitting the first two meetings.