The Atlanta Hawks fell to the Utah Jazz, 125-119, on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena. The Jazz came in with the best record in the Western Conference and they showed the city of Atlanta what has gotten them off to this torrid start for the season.
The Jazz were led by forward, Lauri Markkannen, who finished with a season-high, 32 points, while shooting 6-8 from three-point range. The Hawks struggled marking Jazz shooters all night, as Utah hit 17 three’s on just about 44% shooting. In comparison, Atlanta shot a paltry 8-28 from beyond the arc.
Malik Beasley also hit six three’s, chipping in 18 points off the bench for the Alpharetta-native. Utah consistently beat Atlanta off the dribble and coupled that with their surgical passing, pacing this game from start to finish.
Atlanta did not have all that bad a night, they just ran into a red-hot Utah squad. All five starters scored 15+ points. Dejounte Murray led the way for Atlanta with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Trae Young & De’Andre Hunter also added twenty points each.
Oddly enough, the Hawks as a team beat the Jazz in most of the major team categories: out-rebounded the Jazz 54-47, turned the ball over less 11-13, scored more points in the paint 60-50. Yet, it was the three-pointers made [17 for Utah; 8 for Atlanta] and the free-throw line discrepancy that was the difference, with Utah going 20-24 compared to Atlanta’s 9-11.
Atlanta has a quick turnaround with the Philadelphia 76er’s coming into town Thursday night. Atlanta will host Philly for a home-and-away, with the former being in Atlanta and the latter being in Philadelphia Saturday night.
