Earlier this season, the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 111-104. The Atlanta Hawks overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Mavericks and made history as they won their first game in the newly renovated State Farm Arena.
Winning at home against the Mavericks helped the Atlanta Hawks reach .500 and slide into the sixth seed in the east. Obviously, this game marked the beginning of the Luka Doncic and Trae Young rivalry. The two rookies will be linked together for the rest of their careers. However, one player that played exceptionally in Wednesday’s game was Kent Bazemore.
The Atlanta Hawks have made it clear for the last year or so that they want to trade their veteran shooting guard. Needless to say, the 29-year-old’s performance Wednesday night may extend his stay in Atlanta (or bump up his trade value).
Bazemore finished the game with a career-high 32 points, 3 steals and 7 assists. Throughout the game, the Old Dominion product seemed to be in the right place at the right time. The Atlanta Hawks fought an uphill battle for most of the game.
In certain parts of the game, the Atlanta Hawks fell in love with the three-point shot. But Bazemore’s approach to the game affected the rest of the team. The six-year veteran continued to attack the basket and move without the ball.
As the game unfolded he continued to convert in clutch situations. With 8:44 left in the game he converted on a layup that would bring the Hawks within three (90-93). At the 5:46 mark, Baze cut back door to finish at the rim, which would decrease the Mavs lead to two (95-93).
The Hawks captured the lead with 3:34 left after a Kyrie Irving-like bucket from Young (101-100). Needless to say, Bazemore’s ferocious one-handed jam down the middle of the lane with 1:08 to play sealed the deal (105-101).
Right now, he is having a good season with the exception of his 3-point performance against the Memphis Grizzlies.
He did not think twice about what he was going to do. 😤 pic.twitter.com/j2r1xtJZ1V
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 25, 2018
Despite the constant trade rumors, there are three reasons why the Hawks probably won’t trade Bazemore this season.