Atlanta Hawks: Studs and duds from demoralizing loss to 76ers

Atlanta Hawks stud from demoralizing loss to 76ers: Clint Capela trusted his process

Not many Hawks can even say that had a good game. Clint Capela might be able to say he had a great one, all things considered. And graded on a curve. He had just 11 points for the second game in a row and wasn’t efficient in getting them, shooting 36.4 percent. But he had a double-double with 12 rebounds. Capela also went 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.

None of that is why he earns the nod for ‘stud’ of the game. It was his work on the less glamorous end.

Battling Joel Embiid is no easy task.

The big man is averaging 21.0 points, 8.7 boards, and 3.8 assists while shooting 43.0 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from deep. When these teams met in the Eastern Conference Finals he averaged 30.4/12.7/3.9 on 46.9 percent shooting and 35.7 percent from outside.

In this matchup, he was held to just 19 points and five boards. He shot just 38.5 percent overall and was 1-for-4 on his attempts from long distance.

On the season, Capela is holding opponents 8.6 percent below their typical field goal rate when he guards them. That was before this game against Philadelphia and Embiid. Offense for him will come and go; often based on chances for the Hawks to get out and run.

Capela’s defense, however, is still something to be reckoned with.

He’s earning every bit of his two-year, $46 million extension so far. And we can’t fail to mention the free throws one last time!