The Atlanta Hawks play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at State Farm Arena on Monday.

The Thunder (10-13) were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, but things have been going better than anyone could have anticipated. What's made them so good is the breakout of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The future All-Star is leading the team with 31.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1,7 steals per game. That's why he was the prized possession in the Paul George trade, and it looks like OKC won that deal. He was the first step in a lengthy rebuilding process, and there's still a long way to go. Getting Chet Holmgren (foot) back next season is the next step, and there is still plenty of draft picks in the near future as well.

The Hawks (13-10) had high expectations coming into the year, and it's been mixed results so far. While they do have a solid 13-10 record, this team has had too many bad losses. It's no fault of this dangerous backcourt, though, with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray both playing at All-Star levels. It's going to be up to those guys to carry this group to where they want to be because the rest of this group has been playing well below expectations. The guy they really need to get going is John Collins. He's got All-Star potential but has been amid trade discussions for most of his career. This franchise needs to decide that he's a major piece or get rid of him and bring in someone new. It's even more frustrating right now because he's out for the next weeks due to an ankle sprain.

These teams played two lopsided games last year, with Atlanta sweeping the season series.