What We Learned From Atlanta's 124-122 Loss to the Utah Jazz
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The Atlanta Hawks were on the road last night in Salt Lake City and they were hoping that the return of Jalen Johnson would boost them to get a win over the Jazz, but that was not the case. Johnson had a solid game, but the Hawks were not able to do enough to win the game. It was the third straight loss for the Hawks and their lead for the No. 10 spot is now down to three games over the Brooklyn Nets.
So what did we learn from last night's loss to the Jazz?
1. Free throw shooting cost the Hawks last night
It is not everyday that free throw shooting prevents and NBA team from winning, as most teams are pretty good at free throws. Free throw shooting issues are usually reserved for college basketball teams, but it stung the Hawks last night and prevented them from winning last nights game.
Atlanta was 20-27 last night from the free throw line last night and lost the game by two points. Johnson had a solid first game back, but he also missed four three throws. Atlanta lost because of numerous things, but free throw shooting played a factor.
2. Garrison Matthews should have been on the court for the last play
With 8.9 seconds to go and the Hawks trailing by two, Atlanta had one last chance to tie or win the game at the end. Everyone in the Arena and watching the game knew that the Hawks were going to try and get the ball to Dejounte Murray, who had gotten the Hawks back in the game with two threes to cut it to two after the Jazz led by eight. The Jazz sent a double team at Murray and he got the ball to an open Vit Krejci. Krejci missed the shot, but it was an open shot and he should have taken it.
With a chance to win the game, I wondered why Quin Snyder did not have Garrison Matthews in for the last possession. Matthews is one of the Hawks best three-point shooters and likely would have been a better option for Atlanta on the floor last night.
Mar 15, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) looks to move the ball against Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (8) during the second quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
3. The Hawks schedule is about to get tougher and this was a missed opportunity for a win...
The Hawks are still leading the Brooklyn Nets for the last play-in spot in the Eastern Confernece, but the lead is down to three. According to Tankathon, the Hawks have the 6th toughest schedule remaining in the NBA while the Nets have the 4th easiest schedule remaining. The Hawks are still one of the most injured teams in the NBA and with games against the Clippers, Lakers, and Suns, as well as two matchups left with Boston, it is by no means a lock that Atlanta makes the last play-in spot.
