The Hawks have started. After a tough start to the campaign in which they found themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Nate McMillan’s boys have been able to change course to link four wins, the last one against the Hornets, and look to the future with calm and confidence.
It was an important game for Georgia, not only because of the classification, but because of the entity of the rival. Charlotte, one of the teams that has improved the most over the previous year, came to Atlanta after five consecutive wins. There was an interesting clash between two teams of good level, but the truth is that the locals were hardly in trouble. After an even first quarter, a 16-0 run for the Hawks put them ahead. They didn’t skyrocket much further on the scoreboard, but the Hornets also didn’t cut too much at the end of regulation time.
Atlanta’s change of dynamics has come at home, where they have played their last games to average 118.5 points per night in this winning streak. Trae Young, who last night had 19 points and 9 assists, believes that accelerating the pace of the games has benefited them.
“I think the improvement we have made is simply by playing faster. The more possessions you have, the more shots you make, and with the guys we have, that’s a good thing, ”he explains.
Along with the point guard, the performance of Clint Capela undoubtedly stood out, who achieved a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds. With four other players in double-digit scoring, Kevin Huerter and Danilo Gallinari also shone with 17 points each, the latter off the bench.
35 Miles Bridges points
It is being one of the sensations of the season. Miles Bridges, first player of the week in the Eastern Conference this course, continues to play at an excellent level and against the Hawks he had 35 points and 10 rebounds. To the regret of the Hornets this performance was not very well accompanied. LaMelo Ball achieved a triple-double of 15 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but with a painful 5 of 18 in field goals. In any case, they continue with a positive balance (10-8), which allows them to remain in sixth position in the East.
(Photograph by Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)