Atlanta Hawks lose a tight game against the Portland Trail Blazers – grades

The Atlanta Hawks faded against the Portland Trail Blazers, running out of legs on the second night of a back-to-back – player grades

The Atlanta Hawks took on the Portland Trail Blazers in the second night of a back-to-back. The Blazers were without Jusuf Nurkic due to his wrist injury and lost CJ McCollum during the game to an ankle sprain after he twisted it under Clint Capela.

The first quarter was the Capela and Trae Young show. The big man had 11 points and three rebounds and Young really set up the offense with 10 points and five assists. The Blazers backcourt combined for 22 of the Blazers 34 first-quarter points.

Atlanta Hawks shortened rotation cost the team in energy

The rest of the half continued in the same manner as the first quarter with Capela finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Young had 17 points and eight assists at the main break.

The second half was tough for the Hawks as they seemed to run out of legs, allowing the Blazers to get ahead. While they did not have McCollum, Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr, and Enes Kanter provided to be good enough.

Lillard finished with 36 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. He got to the free-throw line 12 times and did not miss. Trent had 18 points on 4-of-8 from deep while Kanter had 12 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks on the night.

Coach Lloyd Pierce shortened the roster, only using four players off the bench. His usual super-sub Kevin Huerter was in the starting lineup due to the injury to Cam Reddish whose defensive presence was sorely missed on the night.