The Atlanta Hawks are now three for three in the latest homestead, with a blow-out win against the Charlotte Hornets, a miraculous-comeback against the Boston Celtics, and the latest, a 120-106 victory over the Portland Trailblazers. Atlanta is now a game and half behind the Chicago Bulls for the Eastern Conference’s ninth spot with 10 games remaining.
The Trailblazers actually led Atlanta at the end of the first quarter and it was a back-and-forth affair till about midway through the second period, where the Hawks took command of this game. From there they paced out a victory for a 14-point win.
Portland rolled out a lineup that even the most diehard NBA fans might have had a hard to recognizing. Atlanta was also without many of their key guys as Hawks’ fans have become all too familiar with: Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, Kobe Bufkin, and Mouhammed Gueye.
Dejounte Murray led the pack with another star performance of 30 points, 7 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Murray shot an efficient 13 of 20 from the field and went 50% from beyond the arc going 4 of 8.
Garrison Mathews showed up in a big way again with 21 points in 22 minutes. His second 20-point outing in three games.
This was the front end of a back-to-back for Atlanta, as they host the Celtics for the second time this week on Thursday night. Following the biggest comeback in franchise history Monday, the Celtics have had two full days of rest to prepare and avenge one of the biggest comebacks in NBA history. Tip-off for Thursday’s game is at 7:30 p.m. eastern from Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
