RJ Barrett scored a season-high 29 points, Brandon Ingram also had 29 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Atlanta Hawks 134-117 in the first of back-to-back meetings between the teams.

Blake Griffin explains why Trae Young remains a tough defensive matchup, even as the Hawks struggle with form and defense.

Get the best Hawks vs. Raptors predictions ahead of Saturday's clash at Scotiabank Arena. Free NBA picks for January 3.

The Atlanta Hawks have been chasing a real defensive identity for years. They have cycled through different bigs and tweaked schemes. They have also leaned on guards to plug gaps they should not have to cover.

NBA insider says Hawks’ biggest Trae Young problem is no one wants to play with him originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Belief is growing around the NBA that the Atlanta Hawks are ready to move on from All-Star guard Trae Young in the coming months.

The Atlanta Hawks could be on the verge of doing something big ahead of the NBA trade deadline, with Trae Young potentially involved.

On the court, the Atlanta Hawks are struggling mightily. They have lost their last seven straight games and 11 of their last 13, with their overall record falli

The Dallas Mavericks are prioritizing the acquisition of at least one impactful young talent in an Anthony Davis trade and have interest in Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga and Atlanta Hawks wing Zaccharie Risacher,