The Atlanta Hawks saved their chance for the playoffs. In the 9-10 play-in game against the Charlotte Hornets, Trae Young’s team won 132-103, and the All-Star didn’t even have his best night.
Atlanta Hawks (9) – Charlotte Hornets (10) 132:103 (BOXSCORE)
Young had difficulties, especially in the first half, at times the point guard missed eight throws in a row. Charlotte had defended the All-Star better than any other team during the regular season, but as the game progressed the 23-year-old found ways to punish defense, ending up with 24 points (8/24 FG) and 11 assists .
Much more important for the Hawks, however, was that the other starters also delivered. Clint Capela (15, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks) recalled the outstanding previous year with his performance, Kevin Huerter (13) and De’Andre Hunter (22, 7 rebounds) used the freedom that Young created for them. Atlanta hit more than 50 percent from the field, exactly half of all threes (16/32) went through the trap.
However, Charlotte’s defense was disastrous most of the time. The third quarter was symbolic of this. Atlanta hit 16 of his 24 attempts for 42 points and even picked up 3 offensive rebounds for second chance points. It was almost a copy of last year when the Hornets suffered a similar debacle in the Indiana play-in (117-144).
LaMelo Ball (26, 7/25, 8 assists) was one of the visitors’ better players despite poor odds, as was PJ Washington (17, 7/10). Terry Rozier (21, 8/22) and Miles Bridges (12, 0/4 threes) disappointed, the latter taking two Ts and an automatic ejection midway through the fourth quarter on vacation.
Charlotte collapses completely in the third quarter
Charlotte got off to a better start with a few threes, the Hawks seemed a bit surprised at first, but caught on. Young was mostly doubled, giving others more space. Huerter used this to make three triples and was the main factor in a 17:3 run by the hosts. Ball, on the other hand, quickly had two fouls on his account, as did the weak center Mason Plumlee. At 32:23 after the first quarter, the Hornets were still well served, also because Young missed eight throws in a row.
Things got a little better for visitors with Washington in five, but Atlanta found other gaps. Isaiah Thomas was attacked mercilessly, as was Ball. Danilo Gallinari was slowly warming up for the Hawks, and Capela made an outstanding game in the zone. And yet the Hornets were still within striking distance at the break, as Ball and Rozier finally put some accents. 60:52 Atlanta after 24 minutes.
Charlotte’s much-praised offense still didn’t get going. The guests left a lot lying around the ring and were also unable to convert their open corner threes (Rozier!). Atlanta, on the other hand, got unexpected production from Hunter, who scored 16 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter. The forward recorded 12 of those during a 21-5 Hawks run that extended the lead to +24.
From that point on, it was just a show for the hosts (highest lead: 33 points), who now get the chance to book the last remaining playoff ticket in the east on Saturday night. In Cleveland, the opponent of the top seeded Miami Heat is then played between the Cavs and the Hawks.