The Hawks already have to deal with several injuries, and last night, they hosted the Kings without two starters (Hunter and Daniels), and their 6th man (Bogdanovic). Result: they logically lost 123-115 in front of their public, victims of a very good Fox-DeRozan duo, author of 58 points at 20 out of 31 on shots.
However, it was Atlanta, with a 3-pointer from Zaccharie Risacher, who struck first, but Sacramento responded straight away, and never fell behind again! After a lost ball from Risacher, punished by a dunk from Keegan Murray, Quin Snyder takes his first timeout. We've been playing for three minutes, and the Kings are leading 12-5.
The Hawks' new five has difficulty finding its way in attack, and in defense, it takes on water in the face of the accuracy of De'Aaron Fox. After twelve minutes, Sacramento took a mini-break (33-26).
The rest is even more complicated for the Hawks, unable to chain defensive rotations. It's simple, it's going too fast for Risacher's teammates, still behind, and Trey Lyles, at 3-points, punctuates a 10-0 to give a 17-point lead after only three minutes in the 2nd quarter . The match heats up, and it's David Roddy who wakes up the Hawks.
Onyeka Okongwu imposes his power on both sides of the field, and the Hawks pick up the score (58-55). The Sabonis-DeRozan tandem takes things in hand to give them a 10-point lead at the break (69-59).
The Hawks equalize
The start of the second half was the same. The Kings' rhythm continues to unbalance the Hawks' defense, and as Atlanta, like Zaccharie Risacher, is clumsy, the gap swells again: +18 (88-70).
The Hawks are looking for a spark and it will come from Garrison Mathews, who embarks on a duel with DeRozan. The Atlanta shooter plants 3-point after 3-point, while DeRozan responds to him from mid-distance with impressive regularity. Trae Young comes to referee their duel to bring Atlanta back to -12 at the start of the last quarter.
Matthews then insists, and the Hawks equalize (109-109)! There are six minutes left to play, and everything has to be done again for the Kings. Fox then takes the match into his own hands, and he hurts as badly as DeRozan at mid-distance. And when Mathews plants his 7th winning basket, Fox responds immediately with 3-points. In defense, Murray covers Clint Capela, and it is the DeRozan-Monk duo who are responsible for validating this 3rd victory in a row for the Kings (122-115).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Zaccharie Risacher transparent. While he scored the first basket of the match, the Frenchman experienced his worst evening since his debut in the NBA. Clumsy, but also overwhelmed in defense, the Frenchman finished the match at 1 out of 9 on shots and his +/- was catastrophic: -25!
– DeMar DeRozan clinic. Demonstration of mid-distance play from the Kings rookie. A real treat to watch, and the automatisms with Fox are more and more visible. Five matches, five outings with 2 points and more for the former Bulls player.
– Trae Young exemplary. With his 25 points and 12 assists, the leader had a full match, and he never pulled the cover for himself. He seeks to make others play, and to give confidence to his young teammates, like Keaton Wallace. A true leader even if victory is not at the end.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
