We can't stop the Hawks! Qualified for the quarter-finals of the NBA Cup, Zaccharie Risacher's partners achieved the feat of winning against Milwaukee, the team in form of the moment. After seven victories in a row, the Bucks lost 119-104, while the Hawks continued with a 5th success in a row.
Face to face, two of the teams in good form at the moment in the East, and Giannis Antetokounmpo starts with his feet. Even if Risacher opened the Atlanta counter with a baseline dunk, the Bucks rolled out and quickly took the lead: 16-6 then 20-10 after a 3-pointer from Brook Lopez. The match is pleasant, and the Hawks do not panic. The first substitutions have their effect, and the Hawks' defense goes up a notch. In attack, Jalen Johnson showed off his technique, and in three minutes, Atlanta was back on track (28-27). Under the boards, Onyeka Okongwu imposes his power, and the Hawks are in front after 12 minutes (38-35).
De'Andre Hunter as X Factor
With a 3-pointer and a tap, Risacher brings the gap to +8 (43-35), and it's Bogdan Bodadnovic who takes over with a 3-pointer (53-44). Moment chosen by Doc Rivers to revive Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek is the only one to score on the Bucks side, and the Hawks collective maintains the lead, thanks to the Daniels-Johnson duo. The first steals yet another ball to send the second to the alley-oop. At the break, the Hawks lead by 11 points (70-59).
Returning from the locker room, Risacher, again, strikes from afar, and Johnson goes to posterize Brook Lopez on a placed attack. The Bucks are trailing by 20 points (79-59)! Damian Lillard and Giannis take turns in attack to reduce the gap (81-68) but De'Andre Hunter is very bad at 3-points. Like on this step-back to restore a 15-point lead (96-81). The score is yo-yoing but the Hawks have the match well in hand.
When the Bucks go back below 10 points, it's Bogdanovic in the corner (104-94) or Trae Young with a superb baseline “floater” who keep control (108-95). As for Jalen Johnson, he validates the victory with a new poster. This time he climbs on top of Liam Robbins, and he can stick his tongue out. The Hawks won in style in Milwaukee: 119 – 104.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Physical Hawks. Match after match, Atlanta impresses with the quality of its play and the physical qualities of its players. It runs, it jumps and it fights. This night, Risacher and his partners won the battle of the counter-attack (30-12), the rebound (55-40) and the points in the racket (64-34).
High defense. In the second half, the Hawks defended very high on opposing shooters. Daniels is real poison, and the Risacher-Johnson duo has stature. Result, the Bucks finished the meeting with a 15 out of 45 at 3-points. Best 3-point shooter in the NBA, Taurean Prince finished 2 out of 5.
On the heels. With this 5th victory in a row, the Hawks move into the positive with 12 victories for 11 defeats. Before hosting the Lakers, they are 6th in the Eastern Conference, just behind the Bucks, 5th with 11 wins for 10 losses.
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.
