Atlanta Hawks: 6 Takeaways from 113-92 Loss to 76ers

Glimpses of Beautiful Ball Movement

In the first quarter, Atlanta came out and looked like they were in a Game 7 fight for their lives. Flying around, cutting backdoor, skying for rebounds, and playing hard-nosed defense.

For all those wondering how they would respond to a poor showing at home against the Bulls, they came out and performed with some fire in the gut through the opening minutes.

Not only were they playing hard, they were playing smart. It would have made a basketball-shaped tear escape the eye of Gregg Popovich to see the ball zooming around on the offensive end for the Hawks. They moved well and created easy looks at the rim.

Through the first half, they were outscoring the vertically proficient 76ers 24-18 in the paint thanks to sequences like this. Anticipatory passing, baby; it does wonders.

It came apart in the third quarter, but it was fun while it lasted!

But there isn’t much time to dwell on the tough loss, it’s back to the scene of the crime for Trae Young and Co. tonight, when the Hawks take on the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

What happened the last time they played there? Oh yeah, this:

The game against the Cavs will mark the first back-to-back of the young season for the Hawks.

Catch all the coverage of that game (and every game) at Soaring Down South.