Ninth in the Eastern Conference, but qualified via the play-in, the Atlanta Hawks had started the play-offs badly, losing twice to the Miami Heat, the best team in the Eastern Conference. But on Friday at home, the Georgia franchise reacted and finally won (111-110). This was won in the dying seconds, on a shot by Trae Young. Atlanta is now down two sets to one.
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At the buzzer, Young smiles, Butler grimaces
Authors of a good end to the first period, the Hawks had returned to the locker room with a small lead (61-54). But then they were overwhelmed by Miami. The Heat indeed inflicted a terrible 21-0 on them, increasing the score from 63-68 to 84-68, in the space of five minutes (33rd). But Atlanta patiently made its comeback and finally picked up three units (98-95, 42nd).
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The two teams then no longer parted ways. And the end of the match was obviously breathtaking. 12 seconds from the buzzer, with Miami leading 110-109, Jimmy Butler could have given the Florida franchise the win. But he missed his shot. On the following action, Trae Young, the star of the Hawks, did not miss his chance. Butler then had another chance to win Miami, but his three-point shot didn’t go in.
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Bogdanovic and Hunter valuable for Atlanta
Sparkling in Game 2 (with 45 points), Jimmy Butler was still the Heat’s strongman (20 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists), but therefore his unfortunate hero as well. Tyler Herro had 24 points for Miami and Max Strus had 20. Finally, Bam Adebayo had a double-double, with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
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In the ranks of the Hawks, Young finished the match with 24 points, well supported by Bogdan Bogdanovic (18 pts) and De’Andre Hunter (17). Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot did not come into play. Atlanta and Miami will meet on Sunday for Game 4, still in Georgia.
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Milwaukee escapes entry against Chicago
Defending champions and third in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks had stumbled at home against the Chicago Bulls in Game 2 on Wednesday and went to the latter with a parity score (one victory everywhere). But Milwaukee made Chicago pay dearly for its affront, winning very largely (111-81). The Bucks escaped in the first quarter (33-17, 12th) and were never threatened.
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Coming off the bench, Grayson Allen was the Wisconsin franchise’s leading scorer, with 22 points scored in 25 minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo, for his part, scored 18 points, took seven rebounds and delivered nine assists. Bobby Portis was also the author of 18 points. Khris Middleton, injured in the left knee, did not play. He is likely to miss the remainder of the series against the Bulls.
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On the Chicago side, Nikola Vucevic scored 19 points and Zach LaVine scored 15. Led two sets to one from now on, the Illinois franchise will once again host Milwaukee on Saturday.
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