Atlanta Hawks: Rapid Reactions To a Dominant First Win of the Season

Buckle up for some rapid reactions to the first victory of the 2018-19 season for the Atlanta Hawks, a 133-111 drubbing of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Atlanta Hawks played their third straight road game on Sunday, this time in Cleveland. They were looking to avoid starting the season 0-3, something they haven’t done since 2005. They did just that, winning by a commanding score of 133-111.

After allowing 125 or more in each of the first two games, defense had to be a priority coming into the game. They started slow in that department, and midway through the first they found themselves down 15 after letting the Cavs go on a 20-2 run.

Rookie Omari Spellman hit a 3 to finally stop the bleeding, spurring a Hawks run of their own, as the trio of first-rounders each connected on a 3 in about a minute of play. The team had it cooking from deep all night, and 5 of their first 7 makes overall were from downtown.

Cleveland led by 10 at the end of the 1st, and the Hawks were playing much better D, but the Cavs were getting far too many second chances and open looks on offense.

The second period was far and away the best quarter the Hawks have played this season.

Trae Young, who was quiet in the first, hit some nice treys to open it up, including making room for himself on this one:

https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/1054148741421129729

And pulling up from deep here:

https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1054144224382214144

Alex Len had himself a great quarter as well, slamming a few home emphatically as well as having a nice block at the rim.

At the half the Hawks had their first lead outside the first quarter all year, 64-60.