The Atlanta Hawks dropped to three games under .500, with their 124-115 loss, against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night. Atlanta only lead in this game during the opening minutes of the first quarter. The Bucks firmly controlled this one from the start, but they did have to thwart a final Hawks comeback attempt, as Atlanta came to within five points multiple times in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee’s largest lead of the night was 19 points.
This was the final regular season meeting for the two clubs, as Atlanta took the season series overall at 2-1. Wednesday night’s game looked a lot more like the Eastern Conference Finals last season, as Milwaukee dominated the paint, scoring 62 points compared to 46 for Atlanta. The Bucks got whatever they wanted, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, both finished with 20-point double-doubles. Antetokounmpo had a monster-night with 43 points, on 68% shooting, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, while Portis chipped in with 23 points and 15 rebounds.
In only his third appearance since returning from injury, John Collins had a performance to forget. The former-Wake Forest product, finished the game with 2 points and missed all nine of his field goal attempts from the field, including going 0-of-5 from three point range. It should be noted that neither team shot well from three, as the Hawks shot a paltry 28.9% and the Bucks at 34.3%. Collins’ performance could be viewed as the difference in this game, as six other Hawks players finished in double digit scoring.
Trae Young rebounded from his rough night in Detroit earlier this week, and led the Hawks in scoring with 27 points, on 53% shooting, and 11 assists, his 33rd double-double game this season.
The Hawks are clinging on to the Eastern Conference’s last play-in spot. They are now 1.5 games ahead of the Washington Wizards, who lost to the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, and 3.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks, who won against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday. The margin of error is getting razor thin, as the playoff push for multiple franchise’s has begun. Atlanta has games against multiple sub-.500 teams coming up on their schedule, they must do whatever it takes to use that in their favor.
Atlanta heads back home to host the Clippers Friday night, in their second and final meeting of this season. The Clippers bested Atlanta in their lone meeting this season out in LA. LA’s other team is playing great basketball of late winning eight of their last ten ball games. The Hawks will need State Farm Arena to be rowdy and jam-packed Friday evening. Tip-off for this one is at 7:30 p.m. eastern.
