If the Clippers could count on Kawhi Leonard, who began his season this Saturday evening, the Hawks on the other hand had to do without Jalen Johnson, hit in the shoulder. Quickly, the Californians took control, thanks to a 16-0 thanks to James Harden more than ever a passer, offering good shooting spots to Norman Powell and Amir Coffey, authors respectively of 17 and 15 points in the first half-time.
But Atlanta resists and comes back at the end of the first quarter (29-28). It's a reprieve because the Clippers defend well and Amir Coffey is still in good shape offensively. They go 14-0 again and this time, the gap is maintained until the break (74-54).
The match is almost over because the Hawks, without Jalen Johnson and after having already played the day before against the Lakers, lack juice. The third quarter does not change the balance of the game (98-76), nor the last for that matter. Tyronn Lue's troops even finished with a 12-2 for the road, to offer themselves a large victory (131-105). After two defeats in a row, Los Angeles is smiling again. For Atlanta, it's more complicated, with three losses in a row now.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The return of Kawhi Leonard. It was the event of this meeting of course. The winger has finally started his season. Discreet, he scored his first shot of the game, at 3-pts, and it is mainly in this area that he will shine with 12 points at 3/5 at 3-pts, in less than 20 minutes. For the rest, we saw him active in defense, but he lacked rhythm (4-11 shooting) and will need several weeks to find his legs.
– The discreet French. Zacharie Risacher certainly scored 13 points, but as his team sank, he was not able to show much more. Nicolas Batum did his job with 4 points in eleven minutes.
— A James Harden record. With 13 assists in the second quarter alone, the Clippers leader established the franchise record previously held by Russell Westbrook and his 12 offerings. A rare performance, with only three lost balls in 17 minutes in the first half, which allowed the Clippers to conclude the 2nd period with a 45-26.
– A productive bench for the Clippers. With 69 points, the Los Angeles substitutes signed their best outing of the season. Terance Mann, like Kawhi Leonard, was back from injury and scored 12 points at 100% shooting. Among the other contributions from the bench: Amir Coffey was very good with 17 units, Derrick Jones Jr. also added 12, without forgetting the 15 points from Kevin Porter Jr.
Highlights to come…
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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.
