Back-to-back after their defeat in Miami, the Mavericks started strong, thanks in particular to a heat stroke from Kyrie Irving, author of 10 points in the first five minutes. But the defense is still absent, which allows the Hawks to have only one point behind (14-13). The latter, carried by their public, will gradually take over. On a 3-point shot, Bogdan Bogdanovic gives Atlanta a 4-point lead (26-22). Quin Snyder’s players conclude the first quarter with an 8-point lead (37-29).
Back on the court, Kyrie Irving is indefensible. Under his leadership, Dallas returns to 3 points (48-45). The rest of the second quarter is balanced, with two teams going blow for blow. Despite Kyrie Irving’s 20 points, Jason Kidd’s players are 4 points behind at the break (70-66).
Back from the locker room, the Hawks pick up the pace, and take a 10-point lead, thanks in particular to John Collins, who already scored his fourth 3-point basket of the evening (84-74). The Mavericks are totally lost, with a defense that has already conceded 90 points in the middle of the 3rd quarter.
On a long distance shot, Saddiq Bey in turn punishes the Texas defense to offer a mattress of 15 points to his team (91-76). But when we least expected it, Dallas will react. Luka Doncic’s teammates will conclude the quarter with a 15-3 run, and come back just three lengths from Atlanta (94-91).
In a 4th quarter which is very expensive, the two teams do not let go. Six minutes from the end, John Collins again gives the Hawks a 6-point lead (113-107).
Kyrie Irving, author of 14 points in the 4th quarter, equalizes 37 seconds from the end (121-121). Saddiq Bey gives the advantage to Atlanta (123-121). In a rather incredible end to the match, the Mavericks manage to equalize again, in the game of free throws this time, to snatch the extension (123-123).
After three minutes in overtime, the score is 128-128. Well served by Trae Young, Clint Capela concludes with the alley-oop (130-128). Kyrie Irving, exceptional, equalizes at 130-130, leaving 25 seconds on the clock. But now, the latter commits a fault on Trae Young two seconds from the end, sending him to the free throw line. Obviously, the Atlanta point guard will score both to seal the victory for his team. The Hawks beat the Mavericks 132-130.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A valuable victory for the Hawks. While Toronto had won earlier in the day, Atlanta had to respond to recover its 7th place. It’s done. In a meeting of all dangers against the Mavericks, the Hawks managed to snatch this oh so important success in terms of the classification, finding in passing a balanced balance sheet (39-39).
– The end of the nightmare season of the Mavericks. Things are bad in Dallas, very bad. Jason Kidd’s players have just conceded their 7th defeat in the last 8 games. A horrible finish (and not varnished) which leaves Luka Doncic and his band stuck in 11th place in the West, despite the setbacks of Wolves and Thunder. For the miracle to happen, Dallas, which does not have the tiebreaker on Oklahoma City and Minnesota, will have to win its last three meetings, all at home, hoping for several missteps from the teams above…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Dejounte Murray. Applied throughout the game, he was the Hawks’ best player with 25 points at 52.4% shooting.
✅ John Collins. Very hot from the start, he scored a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds at 4/6 3-point!
✅ Kyrie Irving. He played at an exceptional level. He finished with 41 points at 16/27 shooting, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
⛔️ Tim Hardaway Jr. He didn’t put anything in it, with a 1/6 on shot in the end.
⛔️ The Mavericks defense. As usual, delays and miscommunications aplenty…
THE FOLLOWING
Hawks (39-39): trip to the Bulls overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday (02:00 a.m.)
Mavericks (37-42): reception of the Kings on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (02:30)
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
