Time to pile on the Lakers. LA is 2-6 in its last eight games with the lone victories during this span coming against the Jazz and Spurs, whose combined record is 15-28.

The Lakers are at low ebb right now. They have covered just one of their last 10 games and already this week have lost to the Timberwolves by 29 points and to the Heat by 41 points.

LeBron James is questionable with a foot injury and Anthony Davis is in a shooting slump missing 21 of his last 28 field goal attempts during the past two games.

The Hawks, by contrast, are playing their finest ball of the season with five straight victories. This includes double-digit victories against the Bucks and Cavaliers twice. Trae Young is getting plenty of help as the Hawks have improved their rotation depth and Jalen Johnson is having a big year.