In 82 matches played this season, Trae Young has scored only four times less than thirteen points. Three came in the series against Miami. Three games where the Hawks scored less than 95 points, far from their usual success (113.8 points in the regular season).
Highly anticipated this season after reaching the Eastern Conference final last season (2-4 against Milwaukee), Atlanta disappointed until the end, dragging down its All-Star leader. Symbol of these difficulties, Young’s last shot of the season (11 points at 2/12 including 0/5 at 3 points, 6 assists for 6 stray balls on Tuesday), a three-pointer taken from the corner, rebounded against the slice of the basket when he was not even pressed by a defender.
There was then a little less than three minutes to play and the mass was already said (+9 for Miami). The Heat had escaped by passing a 17-0 just before halftime (from 37-40, 20th, to 54-40, 24th). This allowed him to play in control in the second half, thanks in particular to a very good Victor Oladipo (23 points). Used as a joker this season, the latter ideally compensated for the absence of Jimmy Butler (knee), who had flown over the first four matches of the series (30.5 points).
“They’re a great defensive team. could only see Trae Young, who was not the only Hawk to dive (John Collins shot 9.4 points on the series, against 16.2 in the regular season). It’s a real team, not a sum of individuals. Whoever the players on the field (hit in the hamstrings in game 3, point guard Kyle Lowry was also absent), it is competitive. And when they decided to target a player in front, they do it terribly well. »
In the next round, where Miami will always have the advantage of the floor, the Florida formation could have to “target” the Sixers Joel Embiid, James Harden or even Tyrese Maxey, unless the Raptors reverse the series (3-2 for Philly before Game 6 in Canada on Wednesday). But regardless of the opponent, the Heat should come forward as the favorite, given their collective excellence.