Recapping and reacting to the Atlanta Hawks’ Wednesday night victory.
The Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers in Atlanta Wednesday night, their second meeting on the season. L.A won the first game by a whopping 49 points, Atlanta’s worst loss of the year.
They would have to try and avenge that loss without their star guard Trae Young, who was announced out with a leg injury. On the other side of the court, the Clips would be short-handed as well, missing Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley.
Things got out to a decent start for the Hawks, getting out to a modest sized lead in the first few minutes of play. From there however, thing’s got real ugly.
The Clippers quickly turned that small deficit to a big lead, going on a 26-1 run that included nearly eight minutes of play without the Hawks recording a field goal.
It looked to be a repeat of the previous meeting between the teams. And then the Hawks went on a wild run.
They slowly chipped away and away at the 21-point L.A lead with both improved offense and stiff defense.The Hawks went on a good run themselves, a 12-1 one that immediately got them back into it. The Clippers scored just 15 3rd quarter points after 60 in the first half.
Atlanta kept things rolling in the final frame, and a John Collins three cut the lead to single digits. The Clips, specifically Montrezl Harrell, got in some free throw trouble, keeping the door open.
The Hawks went on a 17-2 run, taking the lead with 3:56 remaining on a Brandon Goodwin scoop and-one.
Goodwin made three more free throws to extend the lead to five. A minute later, after a L.A dunk, De’Andre Hunter knocked down a wide open three to grow the lead to six.
Former Hawk Lou Williams sank two from the line to pull withing four, and after a missed Atlanta layup looked looked to be giving the Clippers a chance, John Collins soared for a huge offensive rebound.
Cam Reddish had a chance to seal it at the line, and after missing the first, another offensive rebound led to a Brandon Goodwin finger roll dagger. Hawks win, 102-95.
John Collins led with 33 points and 16 boards, while Goodwin put up 19 points – all in the 4th quarter.
Box Score Notes:
- Definitely worth noting that Brandon Goodwin ended the game running the offense despite Jeff Teague getting the start. Teague got 24 minutes; Goodwin got 19 without Trae.
- The Hawks recorded 22 offensive rebounds on the night, by far their most on the season. Their previous season high was 16. John Collins had seven, Bruno Fernando Six, and Alex Len had three.
- Atlanta outscored the Clippers 61-35 in the 2nd half. Just the 4th time this season the Hawks held their opponent under 100 points.
It was no doubt a fun with for the Hawks, who improve to 11-34. They’ve now won 3 of their last 5 games.
Atlanta will look to keep things rolling in OKC on Friday.