Atlanta Hawks: 3 keys to victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Atlanta Hawks have the potential to be on a three-game winning streak if they can take down the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time this week. Their first win was against this team before they defeated the Detroit Pistons missing two starters.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, both De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish are listed as questionable again. There was hope that Danilo Gallinari would be available but he has been listed as doubtful according to the Hawks injury report.
The Hawks have been able to win the last two games thanks to some huge work by Clint Capela. His numbers have historical significance and he is starting to bring the rest of the team with him. Both John Collins and Trae Young were huge for the Hawks against the Pistons. This brings us to the keys of the game.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 1) Feed the beast
As stated earlier, Capela is on a tear and he is posting huge numbers. He was the first player since 2004 to post 25 points, 25 rebounds, and five blocks in a game. In fact, you have to look back to the late ’90s when Dikembe Mutombo was on the team to find the last Hawks player to do that.
The Timberwolves will be with Karl-Anthony Towns again as he battles to recover from COVID-19. Without him, the Timberwolves do not have anyone who has a chance against Capela. The added benefit to this is that if the defense collapses on Capela, this opens up the perimeter for Young to impact the game.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 2) Get Trae Young going early
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Against the Pistons Young barely scored in the first half. He did get the ball to his teammates but was missing multiple free-throw attempts which is unlike him. What he did do was score 21 points in the third period and helped keep the game incredibly close.
When Young is playing the way that he should, he then brings John Collins into the play more. When Collins and Young are playing well the Hawks are a tough matchup thanks to Capela being huge as well.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 3) Key matchup Trae Young vs D’Angelo Russell
The last times these two met, D’Angelo Russell had 31 points, seven assists, four steals, and three rebounds. He was clearly their player of the game and kept the Wolves close. Young answered with 20 points, 13 assists, eight rebounds, and three steals to ensure a Hawks victory.
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While Young has been known to be a poor on-ball defender, he is trying to get to double teams and pressure the passing lanes a lot more. If he can force Russell to change his game slightly by doing this then it will go a long way towards a Hawks victory.