Three Lessons From the Hawks’ Win Against Toronto in the Second Half’.
Despite the unappealing outcome, the Atlanta Hawks managed to end their four-game losing run Friday night by defeating the Toronto Raptors in the closing seconds. Trae Young’s miss gave the Hawks hopeless looks, but forward Saddiq Bey was able to dunk the ball and win the game for the team. Although it is better than a defeat, this victory does not truly solve anything for the Hawks. This team’s next slate of games, which includes games against the Lakers, Suns, Warriors, Clippers, Celtics, and 76ers, is extremely difficult.
So what are the biggest takeaways from last night’s game?
1.THIS WAS SADDIQ BEY’S BEST GAME OF THE SEASON
If you follow the Hawks closely, you know that the past month has been one of the toughest stretches for Saddiq Bey. Bey has not been able to shoot the ball well from three, much less shoot the ball well at all. His slump has come at the worst time, with De’Andre Hunter still sidelined with an injury, and his poor performances have contributed to the Hawks losing. Bey stepped up in a big way last night. Bey finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds and he finished with a +19 on/off number, tied for best on the team with Clint Capela. He hit the game-winning shot and helped the Hawks stop their losing streak. Atlanta is going to need similar performances from Bey if they want to try and turn things around.
2. THE HAWKS HAD A MASSIVE EDGE IN PAINT POINTS. The Raptors’ inability to field Jakob Poetl made it obvious that the Hawks would have a size advantage against Toronto, and they used that to win the game. The Hawks had a 32-8 advantage in second chance points and outscored the Raptors 76-52 in the paint. They needed this kind of edge because their three-point shooting was so bad.
3. THE HAWKS FAILED TO SHOOT DURING THE NIGHT FROM THREE Though they rank sixth in three-point attempts going into the game versus Toronto, Atlanta’s three-point shooting is below average. They shot from beyond the arc last night and it almost cost them. It was one of their worst nights ever.
The Hawks’ shooting percentage was 26 percent (6-27), but Bogdan Bogdanovic scored four of those baskets. Even though Saddiq Bey had a fantastic game, he shot just 0–6 from three, Trae Young was 1-4, and the bench did not have a great night. They were lucky to be playing against such a lackluster and inexperienced squad last night, or else their awful shooting might have cost them.
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