James and the Lakers face the Hawks

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Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Atlanta Hawks (18-20, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (17-21, 12th in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers host the Atlanta Hawks. James ranks seventh in the league averaging 29.0 points per game.

The Lakers have gone 9-8 in home games. Los Angeles is 8-13 in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Hawks are 7-12 in road games. Atlanta has a 5-4 record in one-possession games.

The teams square off for the second time this season. In the last matchup on Dec. 31 the Lakers won 130-121 led by 47 points from James, while Trae Young scored 29 points for the Hawks.

TOP PERFORMERS: James is scoring 29.0 points per game with 8.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists for the Lakers. Anthony Davis is averaging 13.2 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 63.6% over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

Young is scoring 26.6 points per game with 2.9 rebounds and 9.7 assists for the Hawks. Dejounte Murray is averaging 15.9 points and 3.9 assists over the past 10 games for Atlanta.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 5-5, averaging 117.8 points, 43.7 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 5.4 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.6 points per game.

Hawks: 4-6, averaging 121.6 points, 44.3 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 6.1 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.8 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Lonnie Walker IV: out (tailbone), LeBron James: out (illness), Anthony Davis: out (foot).

Hawks: Clint Capela: out (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.