The first quarter takes place in two acts. First the first six minutes, during which the Hawks started strong under the impetus of a Young-Collins duo who quickly compiled 12 points. The score is then 16-15 for Atlanta and Nick Nurse takes the first time-out of the game. This is followed by a complete swing of the “momentum”: the Raptors, carried by an immense Pascal Siakam (21 points during the quarter), stick a 24-12 to the Hawks to end the quarter and secure a lead. comfortable (39-28).
The second quarter is built on the same pattern: Atlanta starts strong, with a 14-4, and comes back up to the locals after four minutes in this second act (43-42). Locals who in turn inflict a 10-0 on Nate McMillan’s men to regain some air (53-42). In response, the Hawks … pass a new “run”! A 13-4 which allows them to return to -2 (57-55). The duo VanVleet – Trent Jr takes over from Siakam in attack and accumulates 17 points, while on the side of the Hawks, it is De’Andre Hunter who heats up (14 points), in addition to Young and Collins. After all these “runs” in this first half with many twists and turns, the gap at the break is ultimately minimal (60-59 for Toronto).
During the third quarter, the pace slowed for several minutes for both teams. Until the premises, thanks to a barrage of outside shots at the end of the quarter (7/10), create a mattress again and point to +10 after 36 minutes (96-86). In relay from Siakam, the duo VanVleet – Trent Jr accumulates 20 points over the quarter.
But the Hawks refuse to abdicate and start a “comeback” in the last act. By a 12-0, the troop of Georgia comes back in force and blows in the neck of the Raptors at the entrance of the “money-time” (115-112). Nick Nurse logically takes a time-out and on the next action, Gary Trent Jr immediately plants the dagger. The rear scored an award-winning shot in the “corner”, in front of the bench of the Hawks, who were again relegated to two possessions (118-112). They won’t come back, and the Raptors are enjoying a fifth straight win.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Raptors’ outdoor address, who signed a 17/27 behind the arc, including 11 from the strong trio of the evening, Fred VanVleet – Gary Trent Jr – Pascal Siakam. Not very brilliant defensively, the Raptors compensated by relying on an attack of the big nights, in the face of which the Hawks gave in.
– The end of the marathon for Toronto. The Raptors were playing their fourth game in… five nights! A frantic pace that they managed perfectly since they ended the week with 5 wins in as many matches.
– The Trae Young and John Collins connection in demonstration. The duo had 45 points and 12 rebounds, and 13 assists for the former. Although not always optimal this season, their relationship certainly did some damage last night. Without victory at the end, but it is all the same reassuring for the future.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Pascal Siakam. On the floor for 40 minutes, the strong winger signs an XXL performance… while Kevin Durant’s replacement for the All-Star Game will soon be named: 33 points (11/16), 9 rebounds and 4 rebounds. Author of 25 of his 33 points in the first half, he put the Raptors on the right track before Fred VanVleet took over after halftime.
✅ Fred VanVleet. To celebrate his new All-Star status, the point guard scored a double-double and guided his team to victory in the second half: 26 points (10/18) and 11 assists, and 4 rebounds to go with it. Discreet before the break, he indeed raised his voice after returning from the locker room, particularly in the third quarter (12 points).
✅ Toronto’s alternate interiors, Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa. Both players have 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and continue to prove invaluable in Nick Nurse’s tight rotation.
⛔️ Kevin Huerter. The rear scored only 7 points (3/8) in 27 minutes, while his lining Bogdan Bogdanovic hit him off the bench (18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals). The former Terrapin from Maryland is very irregular this season, and faced with the good form of the Serbian rear, his starting place could well be called into question soon.
THE FOLLOWING
Toronto (28-23) : a few days off after a fourth game in five days. Then trip to Charlotte on Monday.
Atlanta (25-27) : trip to Dallas on Sunday.
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