It took a Trae Young masterpiece and a classic Clint Capela performance, to top the Cleveland Cavaliers on New Years Eve. The Hawks were down by as many as 16 points, but some how found a way to win, 121-118.
Atlanta ended a three-game skid and left 2021 in the winner’s column. Young put together a 35 point and 11 assist double-double, making and creating plays down the stretch. He hit a pair of free throws with seven seconds left to secure a three-point lead. The Cavaliers missed a game-tying three-point attempt as the clock expired.
Capela looked in mid-season form with a season-high 23 rebounds, 18 points and 4 blocks. This is the Capela Hawks fans have wanted to see, considering his inconsistent start to the this season. Capela’s play will be something to monitor in 2022, and maybe this game will be the one that gets his season back on track.
The Hawks somehow managed to squeeze a W out on the road, with 12 players in Covid protocol, and trailing most of the game. Two team stats that led to the comeback were from the three point line and the free throw line, respectively. Atlanta won the three point battle, hitting 16 three’s on 42% shooting, compared to Cleveland hitting only 8 three’s on 32% shooting. Atlanta also scorched the Cavaliers at the free throw line hitting 19-21 attempts compared to Cleveland’s 14-24.
Things did not look good early for the Hawks, as Kevin Love put on the performance of his season. Love finished with 35 points, hit 7 three’s, and had 11 rebounds, in 30 minutes off the bench. The Cavaliers were without guard, Ricky Rubio, who was injured earlier this week and now out for the season with a torn ACL. His replacement, Kevin Pangos, failed to match Rubio’s production in his second start. He finished with 8 points and 4 assists.
In what was a memorable year for Hawks nation, the team ended 2021 with a victory. 2021 was one of, if not the most, memorable seasons in Hawks history. A trip to the Eastern Conference finals and an off-season like no other in Hawks history, in terms of hype and interest in the team.
Atlanta starts off 2022 with a four-game west coast road trip. First stop will be in Portland to take on the Trailblazers Monday night. It has been reported that numerous players will be back available for the game on Monday. The Hawks have navigated this tough stretch, after being ravaged by Covid, and are only three games back of a .500 record. With this situation now behind them, the Hawks should be closer to whole than not. There is plenty of work to do, but the reinforcements are coming.
Monday night’s tip-off will be at 10:00pm eastern time. The Hawks will have their hands full with Damian Lillard and company, but a sub-.500 Trailblazers squad needs to be a win for Atlanta, and keep this ship sailing in the right direction.
