Image from ATLHawks Twitter account
Breathe easy Hawks fans, Atlanta has responded to their six-game skid, and picked up their second straight victory against the Orlando Magic on Monday night.The Hawks disposed of the young-Magic squad 129-112 at State Farm Arena.
It seemed like just a week ago the national media and Hawks fandom, were ready to put the nail in the coffin for the 2021-22 season. The last two victories against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic reaffirm that it is a long season. An 82-game season to be exact, and the ebb-and-flow of an NBA season has many valley’s and many peak’s!
The Hawks did what they were supposed to do against the Magic, beat them, and beat them handily. Let’s run some numbers from tonight’s victory, because there were a lot of positives that signify winning basketball. Atlanta shot 14-30 from three-point land which was an aspect of their game that needed a desperate boost. In their last two games, Atlanta is averaging 44.8% from three, both victories to remind everyone. Star guard, Trae Young, kept up is hot shooting from downtown and finished a respectable, 3-7 from deep. Bogdan Bogdanovic was back to his sharpshooting ways, finishing the night 4-8 from beyond the arc, and by far his best showing in this young season.
For the first time this year, the Hawks had four 20-point scorers in the same game. Young and John Collins lead the way with 23 points each. Bogdanovic and Capela chipped in with another 20 points each, as well. Those four players alone combined for a shooting percentage of 58%.
The Hawks went to the free-throw line a season-high 32 times. They only shot about 66%, but it showed that they were being aggressive. It was a little bit refreshing to see the whistle go Atlanta’s way, especially since the team has been under the microscope with the new NBA rule changes.
After a brutal western conference road trip, that pit the Hawks against some of the top teams in the league, the team is in the midst of a five-game home stand. They have started the home defense with two victories and everyone would love to see that trend going. Up next for Atlanta, are the Boston Celtics who make their first trip to Atlanta this season. Boston has won their last three out of four and both teams will be ready for a battle on Wednesday night.
On an parting note, there was some injury news to relay from tonight. Per the Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, Hawks head coach Nate McMillan spoke on a potential hamstring injury for Kevin Huerter:“Kevin said ‘something was about to pull’ in his hamstring, and he didn’t feel right after getting treatment.”
