Recapping the Atlanta Hawks’ seventh victory of the season.
The Atlanta Hawks do a lot of things, but one thing they don’t do is lose eleven straight games.
For the second time this season, Atlanta went into a game riding a ten-game losing streak, and just like last time, the Hawks broke it.
This time was even harder on paper, with Trae Young missing the game, and they were also going to be without Jabari Parker.
If the Hawks were going to win this game, someone was going to have to step up, and one person answered the call: Brandon Goodwin.
The two-way point guard who has been great for the Skyhawks this season, had his best career game. He scored 21, beating his previous career-high of 5 by quite a wide margin.
Goodwin looked quick, energized, and aggressive, words that have been rarely used to describe anyone outside of John Collins and Young of late for the Hawks. It’s hard to say after just one game, but it’s easy to predict Goodwin will be up with the NBA team more often, especially for the duration of Trae’s injury.
His previous career-high mark was 5 points. Brandon Goodwin is up to 17 points midway through the third. pic.twitter.com/2dJT7zwZRx
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) December 31, 2019
Goodwin supplemented his points with 6 assists and 2 steals.
The Hawks finally played a good 4th quarter, not only keeping a lead but extending it.
Kevin Huerter went on a 7-0 run by himself in the final period, which conicendently started after Lloyd Pierce gave him some words after a lackadaisical defensive effort.
Kevin Huerter has responded big-time since that earful by Lloyd Pierce.
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) December 31, 2019
Huerter tied his season high with 19 on the night, adding 2 steals and 2 blocks defensively.
Stray Notes:
- Just the 3rd time this season the Atlanta Hawks held their opponent under 100 points, drawing to 3-0 in those games.
- Both John Collins and Alex Len hit double digits in rebounds, helping Atlanta win the rebound battle for the first time since December 13th.
- Just four shot attempts for Cam Reddish as the starting PG. He turned the ball over three times and committed two fouls. If Trae is out next game, wouldn’t at all be surprised to see someone else in the starting five.
The win was much needed for Atlanta, who moves to 7-27 on the year.
It was their final game of the 2019 calendar year, as they’ll next play January 3rd in Boston.