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Atlanta Hawks Fall to OKC Thunder: Game Simulation

By Dallin Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game at Wells Fargo Center on February 24, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers defeated the Hawks 129-112. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: Kevin Huerter #3 of the Atlanta Hawks in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game at Wells Fargo Center on February 24, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers defeated the Hawks 129-112. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Using NBA2k20 to sim the Atlanta Hawks’ matchup with the Thunder.

The Atlanta Hawks were scheduled to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, March 18th. That game won’t happen. March 18th will now be the one week anniversary of the NBA suspending their season due to COVID-19.

The week has been a slow one, especially since all other sports leagues have since followed suit and suspended/cancelled play.

To get back to basketball or sports in general in anyway I could, I simmed the Hawks/Thunder matchup on NBA 2K. For the Hawks, I used the same roster they used in their last game (no Capela/Labissière/Bembry). Below is the recap of the game.

The Thunder won the game thanks in large part to a fantastic second quarter. The Hawks actually won the first quarter but were dominated in the second period with the Thunder making over 60 percent of their shots for 45 points. Eight of the Hawks’ 16 total turnovers came in that period.

OKC held the door open for as long as they could with a ho-hum third quarter, but pulled away with a strong fourth. Atlanta shot just 38 percent from the field in the final 12 minutes.

The final score was Oklahoma City 133, Atlanta 120.

Box score notes:

  • Trae Young was quiet in the first half, being held to four points and four assists, but turned it around with a strong second half. He scored 11 in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth to keep the Hawks alive, finishing the game with 33 points, seven assists and one steal on 10-20 shooting.
  • John Collins scored 15, adding 14 rebounds and a block in the loss.
  • Kevin Huerter was the Hawks’ second leading scorer, going for 26 on 9-16 shooting. He was the only starter to finish with a positive +/-.
  • Cam Reddish really struggled, shooting 4-16 overall and 1-7 from three. He probably played more minutes than he should have thanks to fellow rookie De’Andre Hunter fouling out in just 23 minutes.
  • For the Thunder, Danilo Gallinari scored 40 points, going 6-11 from three. Nerlens Noel grabbed a team-high 11 boards and Chris Paul scored 19 points, adding 15 assists.

Overall it was a pretty realistic result for the Atlanta Hawks, who struggle defensively but still find ways to stay in games.

A better night from De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Dewayne Dedmon (two points in 31 minutes) would have gave the Hawks a better chance.

Next. Positive Takeaways if the Hawks' season is over. dark

The next game on the virtual Atlanta Hawks’ schedule is March 20th, staying home to play the Washington Wizards.

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