Atlanta Hawks: Studs and duds from loss to red-hot Warriors

The Atlanta Hawks are sliding. They’ve lost four straight and six of their last seven. It’s been a mix of poor chemistry on offense and inconsistent effort on defense. Nate McMillan believes the two things are connected. It is hard to argue when you see performances as they had in the third quarter of their 127-113 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Despite winning three of four quarters by a total of 93-86, the Hawks were outscored in the third quarter 41-20.

Led by Steph Curry’s 18 points, they allowed the Warriors to shoot 65 percent from the floor and 55.6 percent from downtown. Meanwhile, they went 37.5 percent overall and go 2-for-8 from beyond the arc.

The Atlanta Hawks haven’t put forth many complete-game efforts so far this season

Nate McMillan said the Warriors “took the momentum and kept it for the second 24 minutes.”

Curry’s 50-burger notwithstanding, the Hawks certainly didn’t put a full 48 minutes of hard play on the floor on Monday.

Trae Young had 21 of his 28 points in the first half. John Collins? 18 of his 19 points came in the first half as the duo combined for just eight points on 3-of-7 shooting. Only one of those shots, a three-pointer, was by Collins who was 6-for-6 in the first half. He did grab five of his boards in the second half.

Young had just two of his assist in the second half even though the Hawks shot a respectable 41 percent from the floor.

The Hawks top two options went scoreless in the fourth quarter.