The Atlanta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets are following similar storylines this season. While their records are different, they both are facing serious injuries issues that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks. The Hawks sit in third in their division while the Nets are in the basement of the Atlantic Division. However, both teams have lost key pieces to their roster and need other players to pick up the slack.
Brooklyn has a little momentum thanks to the increased play by Deron Williams. They are looking to go on a season-tying three-game win streak as the face the Hawks at home. Losing All-Star center Brook Lopez certainly hurt the Nets and they have been outrebounded in several matchups since the injury, but Williams has answered the call to step up.
The point guard put up a season-high 29 points in the win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He then went 7 of 10for 21 points against the Cavaliers. Brooklyn is 3-1 on the season when Williams puts up at least 20 points as the veteran is averaging 13.6 points this season.
Joe Johnson is also making a big difference. The guard has averaged 14.9 points in the recent winning stretch and Andrei Kirilenko has picked up the big man slack in his three games back this season.
The Hawks are still waiting for players to step up after Al Horford was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. As a team, Atlanta has managed just 99.2 points per game while shooting 40.8 percent since he was ruled out at the end of the December. That is much lower than that 102.6 points they were averaging with Horford.
Paul Millsap has been ruled the man in Horford's absence. Much of Atlanta's games have gone through Millsap. He has shot 67 points in the team's last wins while averaging just 15.0 in their three losses.
Atlanta's biggest issue could be the Barclays Center. The Hawks have dropped seven of their last nine road games, getting outscored 107.9 to 101.7. However, they have beaten the Nets their last seven of nine matchups.