Hawks Fly Past Giannis and the Bucks in Milwaukee
You never want to make the third game of the NBA season seem more important than it really is but after an uninspiring start against the Hornets and the Knicks, the Hawks needed a win to get on track and calm everyone down. They had to face the Milwaukee Bucks, who are considered to be one of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference alongside the Boston Celtics. It was the second game of the season for Milwaukee.
Atlanta made a big move before the game by putting Jalen Johnson into the starting lineup in place of Saddiq Bey. Johnson had an impressive first couple of games for Atlanta and earned a starting spot alongside Trae Young, Dejuonte Murray, De'Andre Hunter, and Clint Capela.
With Khris Middleton out, Milwaukee went with a lineup of Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, Jae Crowder, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez.
It was a great effort from start to finish from Atlanta and the thing is, there is still room to improve.
In the first four minutes of the game, Atlanta got out to a 12-3 lead and that set the tone for the rest of the game. The Hawks were 4-7 from three and it was a great start from Johnson and Hunter. Giannis was able to get going in the paint and Bobby Portis had a stretch where he scored seven straight points, but the Hawks led 31-25 after the first quarter.
Atlanta went on the road and beat the Bucks
The only negative thing you could say in the first quarter was that Young could not get going and find his shot. Other than that, it was one of the best quarters the Hawks had played this season.
Something to note in the second quarter, it was the first time that I had noticed Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela playing alongside each other. I don't know if that will become a thing that happens much, but it is something to note.
Atlanta had a 68-47 lead at the half. Hawks shot 50% in the first half 42.9% from three-point range. The Bucks shot 35.4% in the first half and 13.6% from three-point range. Murray had 13 points and four assists and played great defense on Lillard Jalen Johnson had 14 points 5 rebounds and an assist. Bogdanovic had a great second quarter and another good game for the Hawks.
The most shocking stat from the first half: the Hawks held Lillard to 0 points. A lot of credit should go to Murray, but it was a much better defensive effort against the Bucks tonight than the previous game.
Milwaukee could not pull close in the second half and the Hawks cruised to an easy victory over the Bucks. Young finished with 20 points and 11 assists, Capela had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Johnson had 14 points and seven rebounds. Atlanta shot 50.5% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range. It was an overall fantastic performance from the team and a great way to get in the win column.
This was a good win for the team and there is still plenty to improve upon. Atlanta will be back in action tomorrow night at home against Minnesota.
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