We found them “soft” all year, unable to do violence to each other, and yet it was physically that the Hawks gave the Heat a lesson! Before the match, Trae Young had also warned his teammates: “It’s not just about saying that you have to play physical. You really have to be a physical team and do it! » And they did, and it’s very strong against a team like Miami, used to outsmarting their opponents with their intensity and roughness. This is all the stronger since a team ranked 7th had never lost in the “play-in”, and that the Hawks remained on 10 defeats in 13 matches against Miami. Atlanta even remained on seven straight losses in the Heat room.
Intensity and input speed
“We focused on being more physical tonight, and I think that’s the main thing”likes Trae Young. “We were just more physical, we played faster, we didn’t let them set up in defense and we didn’t let them set up in the half of the pitch. We were more in attack mode, in transition and in help”.
A reference match for the Hawks, and their coach Quin Snyder. Arrived a few weeks ago, he has already achieved his first goal: to win the playoffs. “Our guys are trying to give their best at the end of the season. The season is not over. We took this one, and we’ll be able to build on it. It was only one game, but it was our game! »
Arch-dominance on the rebound
From the start, the Hawks had decided to put the Heat on their heels by attacking the circle. Atlanta took control of the game after two minutes, and the Heat will never come back in front of the score! This aggressiveness was found on the offensive rebound with 22 shots, and 26 points scored on “second chance” baskets. Atlanta had never taken so many rebounds this season: 63!
“We have guys who like to do that” Snyder points out. “It’s important when you have strengths, and the guys know you have to build on them. »
With 21 takes in 28 minutes, Clint Capela reigned over the rebound, and he allowed himself the luxury of extinguishing Bam Adebayo! A match “à la Gobert” with only three shots taken, but a big influence on the game. “You can impact the game in different ways. He’s a selfless player, you know, and Clint is one of those guys you like to have as a teammate. And that’s what he did.” continues the Hawks coach.
Elusive Trae Young
Finally, there is Trae Young. Criticized for several weeks, even to the point that during the day, he had to answer questions about a possible transfer, the All-Star leader had a great game. He hardly forced anything, and he let the game come to him. He also set an example in defense, harassing the ball carrier or helping as much as possible.
In attack, he thwarted the two-man takes by anticipating them, and he tried to bring the ball to life. Clearly, the Heat didn’t find the solution to defend on Young tonight, and that was the big difference from last season’s playoff series. Now it’s time for the Celtics, a team against which Young has shone this year with 31 points and 11 assists on average!
