Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks: The Hornets team rebounding could be an issue

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 17: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at State Farm Arena on November 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 17: Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at State Farm Arena on November 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks are seeking their fourth-straight victory on Saturday as they host the red-hot Charlotte Hornets who have won five in a row themselves. It is sure to be a matchup with a lot of fireworks with the likes of Trae Young and John Collins going up against LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges.

However, this game could be one or lost on the glass.

That might be surprising given the Hawks rank eighth on the season in rebounding while the Hornets are closer to the middle of the pack at 13th.

The Atlanta Hawks could need a big performance from Clint Capela versus the Hornets

Charlotte has been the fourth-best team on the glass over their winning streak. If we just look at Atlanta’s current run, they are ninth in the NBA in rebounding while the Hornets rise again to third. But, with all due respect to their opponents, none of them roster the 2021 rebounding champ in center Clint Capela.

They have gone up against some pretty formidable frontcourts, though, including facing the even-hotter Washington Wizards and the Indiana Pacers.

The Hawks rely on Capela and Collins for the bulk of their rebounds. As great as the duo has been playing, and even with Capela’s uniqueness in the matchup, the Hornets have three players averaging less than one fewer rebound than Collins.

That will put the onus on Capela to truly dominate inside as he did against the Orlando Magic.

Capela has grabbed double-digit boards in five-straight games. He had a double-double in four of those games and has failed to grab at least 10 boards just three times this season. He’s also shooting 65.2 percent from the floor over his last five, matching his career-best efficiency from 2017.

Last season, he averaged 11.3 points and 15.7 rebounds in three games against the Hornets. The Hawks went 1-2.

How much more can Capela even do?

This could come down to the other Hawks trying to do more to help their big man out. He will undoubtedly be surrounded by more opposing colors when he crashes the glass than he normally does.

It also adds to his need to be better at the free-throw line where he is shooting 54.5 percent this season but just 44.4 percent over his last five despite playing well otherwise. He even went 4-of-6 a the line against the Orlando Magic. But he was 4-of-12 otherwise and that includes a 3-for-7 outing versus the Utah Jazz.

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The worst thing that could happen would be for him to make an impact early, and then the Hornets start sending him to the line to negate his rebounding efforts.

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