Crazy end to the match in Atlanta where the Hawks went through all the emotions against Toronto before winning in overtime on a basket from elsewhere scored at the last second by AJ Griffin.
We will especially remember the missed final of the Raptors since after having led the race for almost the entire match, Toronto was still up at +8 less than three minutes from the end of the match, thanks to the combined efforts of the Flynn-VanVleet- Anunoby-Young to accompany a Scottie Barnes in great shape.
The match seemed to lean quietly in favor of Nick Nurse’s troops (101-109), until the locals managed the impossible. De’Andre Hunter then reignited the spark with a 3-point shot. Trae Young imitated him from the logo, and Atlanta started to believe it again, even going back in front following four throws from the Young-Hunter tandem to conclude a 10-0 (111-109).
After OG Anunoby’s equalizer, Toronto even had the winning ball. Fred VanVleet perfectly served Scottie Barnes, who just missed the blow, forcing the two teams to decide in overtime (111-111).
This time, Atlanta took matters into their own hands, notably carried by an AJ Griffin in the right places at the right times. And with +4 with 11 seconds left (122-118), the Hawks in turn faltered, conceding a dunk and two throws from OG Anunoby while De’Andre Hunter dropped a 0/2 from the penalty line (122-122). Until this last sequence of genius which offered victory to the locals.
After OG Anunoby’s second pitch and with 3.8 seconds on the clock, De’Andre Hunter served Dejounte Murray who immediately passed the ball to Trae Young thrown at full speed, who found AJ Griffin under the circle of a lobbed pass to allow the rookie to seal the victory at the buzzer!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Raptors shoot themselves in the foot. How did Toronto manage to lose this game? In the second half, Atlanta led by just over a minute and looked set for a fourth home loss this season. The revolt of the Young-Hunter-Griffin trio finally decided otherwise, but between Scottie Barnes’ last failed action leading to overtime and this ultra-fast sequence to win the match at the buzzer, it was very far, very little.
– AJ Griffin played it fine. Another nice shot from the Hawks rookie. Ten days after making himself known by signing 24 points against the Bucks, the winger was still valuable with 17 points but above all four baskets in overtime including this victorious alley-oop with Trae Young as the highlight of the show, at the buzzer .
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Trae Young. 33 points, 12 assists and little waste in the end for the pocket leader of the Hawks. He was even present at the right time, on his 3-pointers at the end of the fourth, his throws and his far-sighted passes, like the last one which surprised the Raptors defense in record time.
✅ ⛔️Scottie Barnes. A little tough lately, the sophomore has been omnipresent in this game. Back at the end after an ankle alert, he misses the winning basket which could have put his people in safety before extra time. For the rest, he was impressive, finishing one assist from the triple-double.
✅ ⛔️Christian Koloko. He too could have been the hero of the end of the match, between his counters, his presence under the circle to score and take rebounds. An interesting production, unfortunately tarnished by two missed shots in the money-time which could have changed the outcome of the meeting.
⛔️Fred VanVleet. An evening without for the rear of the Raptors, confined to 4/18 shooting including a sad 1/11 behind the arc. He could have made up for it with his caviar at the last second for Scottie Barnes who failed to kill the match. We know the rest…
THE FOLLOWING
Atlanta (10-6): Perilous trip in sight on the Cleveland floor, tomorrow evening (01:00)
Toronto (9/8): It’s time for a little break for the Raptors who will not play again until Wednesday evening, against Brooklyn (01:30).
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