The Hawks and the Pelicans linked up in State Farm Arena for game best known for Dejounte Murray’s return after spending two seasons with the Hawks. But the Hawks at full strength on a three-game winning streak were expected to handle the banged-up Pelicans who are on an eight-game losing streak.
Still, you never know. That’s why they play the games.
The Hawks got off to somewhat of a ragged start to the game however, lacking any sort of flow in their offense. But after a timeout — one in which a Murray montage played for the fans — the Hawks picked up the energy and surged to a 14-11 lead behind an 8-0 run.
Dyson Daniels, of course, was up to his normal thieving ways.
Later, Bogdan Bogdanovic got up to his sharpshooting ways.
But the Hawks again hit a lull, and the thin Pelicans mounted a 26-21 lead late in the first quarter.
After one quarter, the Pelicans led 28-26.
The Hawks turned it up a bit in the second quarter. Kobe Bufkin had a couple of nice buckets going towards the hoop, like this one below.
Atlanta just couldn’t string stretches of good play together, however, and they were at risk of dropping a rather unfortunate game. The team began the game shooting 3-for-19 (16%) from deep, which effectively doomed them in the first half.
Despite it all, the Hawks found themselves down just one point at halftime: 59-58. Dyson Daniels was the high scorer for the team with 11 points.
Daniels began the second half much like he did during the first half.
The Hawks hung in there despite blowing many easy scoring opportunities — although a limited New Orleans squad probably helped to that regard as well.
A sudden Trae Young scoring surge gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the night at 80-73. This step-back felt as cold as the winter outside.
Later, Jalen Johnson whipped an impossible pass to the corner to perfectly set up ‘Dre’ Hunter.
Atlanta took a 92-85 lead into the final period.
But the Hawks fumbled away the ball a number of times early in the fourth quarter and allowed the Pelicans a pathway back into the game.
But the Hawks responded and pushed the lead back to eight points, partly behind this emphatic Johnson jam.
The Hawks were as clinical as ever from this point onward, never again putting the game in jeopardy.
Atlanta calmly closed out the game, 124-112.
De’Andre Hunter had 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting off the bench. Jalen Johnson added 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Dyson Daniels contributed 19 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Dejounte Murray in his homecoming went just 2-for-15 for seven points.
The win moves Atlanta back to .500 at 11-11. They will now travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Wednesday.
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