It might not erase memories of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, but it could kick off a rocky start to the season.
The Atlanta Hawks ended a six-game losing streak in emphatic style, blasting the Milwaukee Bucks 120-100 at State Farm Arena.
The win was a continuation of a tough schedule for the Hawks, with Trae Young exploding for a high of 42 points to end the slippage.
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“He came out very aggressive. He felt the beat and stayed with him, ”said head coach Nate McMillan. “I thought he had established a rhythm at both ends of the pitch. I loved the pace with which we played tonight. “
The victory over Milwaukee ended a series of games that saw the Hawks once again face Brooklyn, Utah, Phoenix, Golden State, Utah, then Denver successively.
Forget the fact that these teams are all hoping to compete for a title, the Hawks are also battling their own expectations after a spectacular run to the conference finals.
“It’s something these guys are experiencing for the first time. To be a team that other opponents respect, ”said McMillan.
“We played against some very good teams to start this season. I thought last year we were playing good basketball and I don’t think people were putting us down, but this year they are coming in ready to play. It is something that we are going through. for the first time and guys are learning what it is like when expectations are higher. “
“It’s very similar to playoff play. You can tell them how physical it will be, but until you go through it and experience it, they really won’t know. “
The win takes Atlanta to 5-9 this season, with the next four games all at home.
More than anything, Atlanta fans will be delighted to see Young return to his best, with the explosive goalscorer dumping seven first-half trebles on his way to 27 points in two quarters. He finished the night 8-on-13 at long distance, the eight making his maximum in one game since January.
Before tonight, Young was only 34.4 percent away, with his ten assists giving him his sixth double-double of the season.
The Hawks’ offense found its mojo against Milwaukee, with John Collins again becoming an overboard threat in pick-and-roll situations with Young.
Collins finished with 19 points and six rebounds, while also shooting two offensive fouls on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It’s just a win, and it came against an injured Bucks team at the end of a five-game road trip, but for the first time in a long time, the Hawks looked like last year’s version. .
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