The center position is all Onyeka Okongwu’s in Atlanta.
The fifth-year big man slid into a starting role in late January, and with the recent season-ending injury to Clint Capela, he’s set to put up some big-time numbers.
Since the lineup change, Okongwu is averaging 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in 30 minutes per game — all of which would be career-highs.
He’s been even since Capela’s latest exit from the rotation, averaging 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds over his last four games.
Okongwu and the Hawks will take on the Warriors — one of the smallest teams in the NBA — on Saturday.
Okongwu played just 23 minutes against Golden State in November, but he filled the box score in limited time, scoring nine points and bringing down seven rebounds.
The Warriors have a tendency to play slow-footed big men off the court, but Okongwu has just enough athleticism and mobility to hang with their small-ball lineup.
Oddsmakers are expecting a pretty typical game from Okongwu, with DraftKings Sportsbook pegging his points plus rebounds total at 24.5.
Okongwu has blown past that number in six of nine games this month, and 10 of his last 15 dating back to mid-February.
Betting on the NBA?
In this matchup — and with little competition for minutes in this injury-riddled Hawks rotation — I like him to continue that trend.
Bet on him to have his way inside and on the boards.
The play: Onyeka Okongwu to have more than 24.5 points + rebounds (-110, DraftKings Sportsbook)