Atlanta Hawks: Rapid Reactions to Lopsided Loss to Blazers

Rapid reactions to the Atlanta Hawks lopsided loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Seeking to extend their win streak to a season-best 4, the Atlanta Hawks were home in Atlanta Friday night facing off against the Trail Blazers.

They failed to keep the streak alive and trailed off after a good first half, eventually losing 118-98.

From the start this was a high-scoring affair for the visitors, and the Hawks’ efforts to keep up were inconsistent.

The first was a true battle of the point guards, with Dame Lillard and Trae Young going basket for basket, both playing the full 12 minutes and scoring 18 each.

Outside the high-scoring guard play, Portland was the better overall team, and were able to slowly grow the lead with a good 3rd quarter that included a 16-0 run.

Suddenly, after a solid three quarters where both teams were playing fairly well, the fourth got ugly for both teams. Portland’s shot went cold, and the Hawks failed to take advantage with a barrage of fouls and turnovers.

The playoff-bound Blazers had just a handful of points through half of the fourth, but once Lillard checked in, they pulled away for good. Lillard was his normal All-Star self and then some in his only trip to Atlanta this year. He made it count with 36 points and 7 assists.

Justin Anderson got the start for the Hawks in place of Taurean Prince (foot injury), and got a season highs in minutes with 22. Couldn’t do much in that time however with just 6 points and 2 boards, but did have one of Atlanta’s best plays of the night with a soaring block.

Trae Young answered his 18-point 1st period with just 8 the rest of the night, but did fill the stat sheet with 9 rebounds and 7 assists.

Overall the Hawks just couldn’t keep up with the sterling shooting performance that Portland had. On the night, the Trailblazers shot nearly 50% from the field while outrebounding the Hawks by 14 as well.

Box Score Notes:

• Deyonta Davis got his first major stint with the club, scoring 6 to go along with 4 rebounds in his 18 minutes.
• Excluding the 4OT marathon versus the Bulls (a truly insane game, as these stats attest), Trae’s 25 shots tonight were a career-high.

The Hawks will look to start a new win streak on Sunday, when they face the East-leading Bucks. Get up for the early tip and catch the reactions right here as always.