Lakers at Hawks: What to watch as Luka Dončić returns

Luka Dončić returns Monday as the Lakers look for their sixth straight win against an Atlanta team on a four-game winning streak.

Dončić is off the injury report after missing Sunday’s 121-116 win over Detroit with lower back tightness. Austin Reaves, who scored a season-high 43 points against the Pistons, is questionable with an illness. Quentin Grimes is out with a finger sprain.

Los Angeles (9-2) heads to State Farm Arena on the second night of a back-to-back. Atlanta (7-4) has the longest active winning streak in the Eastern Conference after rallying to beat Brooklyn 124-121 on Saturday.

Here are three things to watch in Game 12 of 82.

Get Dončić help against pressure

Dončić returns averaging a league-leading 40.1 points to go with 7.7 assists per game. Reaves has played in all 11 games and is averaging 25.3 points. If he sits, L.A. will be down two ballhandlers with Grimes already ruled out.

If Atlanta sends a second defender at Dončić, Walker Kessler can give him an outlet by rolling to the rim. The next pass matters. A quick read out of the short roll can get the Lakers a layup or an open corner 3 before Atlanta’s defense recovers.

Limit Atlanta’s shot volume

The Hawks lead the NBA in field goals made (44.0) and attempted (97.1) per game. 

They also lead the league with 31.5 assists per game and rank fourth in both made 3-pointers (15.2) and attempts (43.5). Atlanta has scored at least 120 points in three straight games, including 139 against Washington on Friday.

Taking care of the ball can help L.A. limit Atlanta’s chances to run, but finishing possessions matters just as much. An offensive rebound can turn a good initial stop into an open 3 before the Lakers can get matched up again.

Keep Jalen Johnson out of the paint

Johnson returned Saturday after missing three games with a sprained ankle and led Atlanta with a season-high 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Brooklyn. 

The Hawks won all three games he missed, and his return gives them a forward who can grab a rebound and lead the break himself.

The Lakers need to pick up Johnson early, especially when he brings the ball up in transition. 

Once he gets downhill, he can finish at the rim or draw help and find a shooter. Keeping him in front with one defender would allow L.A. to stay closer to the perimeter against one of the league’s highest-volume 3-point shooting teams.