Brooklyn again lost ground against one of its direct competitors to obtain the best play-in spot. After the defeat against Charlotte at home, it was Atlanta who dictated the law in Brooklyn, despite Kevin Durant’s heat stroke and the pressure put on by Steve Nash’s troops until two minutes from time.
After a balanced first quarter during which the Nets raced in the lead (28-30), the locals ended up taking the lead on an open 3-pointer from Danilo Gallinari (35-34). The Hawks were then able to capitalize on their strong moment before the break, when Delon Wright twice, Trae Young then Danilo Gallinari again scored behind the arc to increase the gap to +15 at halftime (65 -50), despite Kevin Durant’s 25 4/4 3-pointers.
The Huerter – Luwawu-Cabarrot – Capela trio brought their stone to the building to consolidate the lead of Atlanta (76-63), until Trae Young, again increased the gap to +15 d a 3-point shot (81-66). Brooklyn’s reaction was swift.
Kevin Durant warmed up, chained the baskets, including two 3-point missiles in a row, including one on one foot, to bring the score to 88-82. The good passage of Kyrie Irving thus maintained the hopes of the Nets at the end of the third quarter, concluded by a lay-up from Trae Young at the buzzer (94-87).
The pressure suddenly changed sides and the blow did not go far for Brooklyn since the Irving-Durant tandem managed to bring theirs to -1 (107-106). But the Hawks found the solutions in the last two minutes on two drives and a 3-pointer from Trae Young that allowed Atlanta to win 122-115.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
-The good deal for the Hawks. Atlanta’s season has been chaotic, but this series of five successes punctuated by a victory “which counts double” against the Nets, two days after Cleveland, allows Nate McMillan’s men to replace themselves at the best time. In 8th place, the Hawks now have their destiny in their hands in front of Charlotte and Brooklyn and can even continue to dream of a 7″ place for the “play-in”.
– Kevin Durant’s new demo. 25 points at the break, 55 at the finish, a staggering percentage of skill including an 8/10 from 3-pointers and disconcerting sequences for the Hawks: we almost thought that KD was going to bring the victory of Georgie to him all Alone !
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Bring Young. Because he too was hot all game and because he was able to exploit Kyrie Irving’s foul concerns at the end to attack him and score three decisive baskets which gave Atlanta the victory on a plateau.
⛔ The management of the Irving-Durant tandem. Steve Nash did not shine in the way he used his two stars who inevitably lost their lucidity at the end, not to mention Kyrie Irving’s five fouls which “prevented” him from defending properly in the mega money -time. Kevin Durant may have pulled off the big game, Brooklyn lost on arrival, and KD stayed on the floor for 42 minutes, playing the entire second half! But Steve Nash did better with Kyrie Irving: 44 minutes! Excessive use which also had the counter-productive effect of involving the rest of the team too little.
⛔ Patty Mills. The Australian is necessarily expected on the outside shot in the absence of Seth Curry. Unfortunately for him, he was never able to enter his match and came up empty with 0 points, 0/7 in shooting including 0/5 from 3-pointers. A lack of address that is starting to last…
THE FOLLOWING
Atlanta (55-23) : The Hawks are expected in Toronto on Tuesday
Brooklyn (62-15) : return home for the reception of the Rockets this Tuesday
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