The Atlanta Hawks are preparing for a road matchup against the Chicago Bulls following a Monday defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers.
During the loss, Atlanta committed 20 turnovers, a trend the team must reverse to succeed against their next opponent, according to Yahoo Sports.
Five of those mistakes occurred in the third quarter alone, with another five errors happening in the fourth quarter while the game remained competitive.
Head coach Quin Snyder addressed the team’s struggles after the game, stating, “I know it’s hard to win when you have those lapses and you’re trying to overcome mistakes.”
Despite the offensive issues, the defensive performance of Dyson Daniels has provided a positive development for the Hawks.
Daniels recorded four steals against the Lakers and is currently averaging three steals per game, a significant improvement over his previous season statistics.
Regarding his defensive evolution, Daniels explained, “I just think I’m being more aggressive on the defensive end.”
He added that his mindset has shifted from being passive to actively trying to turn opponents over.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls are dealing with a significant roster setback after rookie Caleb Wilson suffered a fractured right hand.
Wilson is expected to miss four to six weeks of action after averaging 18.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter noted the team must be careful with the young player, stating, “We’ve got to be smart with him, of course.”
The upcoming Friday game serves as part of the NBA Cup group stage, where Atlanta currently holds a 1-0 record.
Chicago enters the contest with a 0-1 record in East Group C, as the tournament continues toward the knockout rounds in December.
The absence of Wilson may leave the Bulls’ offense less effective, potentially providing an opening for a disciplined Atlanta squad to secure a win.