Los Angeles @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2019 ) Atlanta 101, L.A. Lakers 122

The Los Angeles Lakers were stretched to the limit before escaping Miami with a victory on Friday, but they figure to have a much easier time Sunday when they visit the struggling Atlanta Hawks. The Lakers won their 13th road game in a row and moved 20 games over .500 with a 113-110 triumph on Friday, as LeBron James shook off a rough first half to finish with 28 points and Anthony Davis added 33 points with 10 rebounds.

James committed seven turnovers and shot 4-for-11 from the field as the Lakers trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but was far more aggressive in the final two quarters as Los Angeles stormed back to win for the 23rd time in its past 25 contests. “Two teams that are playing extremely well right now in this part of the season,” James told reporters after Los Angeles handed Miami its first home defeat. “Two teams that play physical, play together, play hard.” Now the Lakers head to Atlanta to face a Hawks team that has dropped 14 of its past 16 games following Friday’s 110-100 home loss to Indiana. Trae Young scored 23 points but shot just 9-for-30 from the field, and the Hawks did not hit a 3-point attempt in the first half in finishing 6-for-28 from long range.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

ABOUT THE LAKERS (23-3): Davis, the reigning Western Conference player of the week, is averaging 31.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in his past nine games, and on the season is averaging 27.4 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, 9.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. James handed out 12 assists against Miami and leads the league at 10.8 per game while ranking ninth in scoring at 25.9 points. The Lakers are shooting a NBA-best 48.7 percent from the field while holding opponents to 104.2 points per game, fifth in the league.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (6-20): Rookie De’Andre Hunter has scored in double figures in three of four games since returning from a dislocated finger on his right hand, finishing with 21 points against Indiana. Young entered Saturday ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring at 27.7 points and fourth in assists at 8.6 per game, and despite Friday’s rough shooting night (3-for-10 from 3-point range) is shooting 37.2 percent from long range and 86 percent from the free-throw line. The Hawks are 28th in opposing defense, allowing 118.4 points per game, and have surrendered 130 points or more six times in their past 15 games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Atlanta is 3-9 at home this season and 4-15 against opponents who are .500 or better.

2. Lakers C JaVale McGee blocked five shots and finished with 10 rebounds Friday.

3. James scored 33 points to lead seven Lakers in double figures in a 122-101 home victory over the Hawks on Nov. 17.

PREDICTION: Lakers 116, Hawks 98