Without Webby, the Spurs are trying to beat Atlanta twice

THE Hawks started the match with great success. First Nikhil Alexander-Walker (38 points, 8/10 on 3-pointers), then Onyeka Okongwu (15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) allow them to lead, while Julian Champagne (20 points, 5/10 on 3-pointers) and Devin Vassell (15 points for the Spurs) limit the damage (3-6). However, the situation changed completely in the second quarter.

The San Antonio offense is finding its cruising speed and the Hawks are taking over. After a cloudless Keldon Johnson (25 points, 7 rebounds), the author of 14 points in the period and altruistic De’Aron Fox, the Texans outscored their opponent 33-9 and took a 16-point lead (59-43). Their lead reached 19 lengths, and only Jaylen Johnson (26 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) allowed Atlanta to stop the bleeding before halftime (74-60).

Hawks wakes up

Annoyed, the Hawks return to the field with a completely different defensive intensity. After conceding 46 points in the second quarter, they limited San Antonio to 21 points in the third while shooting just 38%. Three of Nikil Alexander Walker’s three-pointers then allowed Atlanta to completely restart the match, and Keaton Wallace’s two winning shots in quick succession even brought the Hawks back to level with their opponent (92-92)!

Unsustainable, cousin SGA even gave his team an advantage at the start of the last quarter (101-100). Everything has to be done again for Spurs, but Mitch Johnson’s men are rising to the challenge. De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes (16 points) and Julian Champagnie lead with 20-4 that puts Atlanta back on the ropes (120-105). Despite Alexander-Walker’s best efforts, the Hawks didn’t make it back to San Antonio a second time, and the Spurs cruised to victory.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Spurs with two speeds. If they end up going through with it, the Spurs lacked consistency last night against Atlanta. They struggled through their first and third quarters, losing 66-49, on both ends of the court, but were able to respond when their backs were against the wall. They scored 46 and 40 points in the second and fourth quarters to make the difference. If their skill was impudent in these two periods, above all in defense they found their rhythm. They forced 10 turnovers and scored 20 points on those occasions.

– A record night for Nikhil Alexander-Walker. In a match marked by the skill of both teams, “NAV” was the standout player on the field despite the Hawks’ loss. He set his new record for points (38) and 3-pointers made (8) in a game, with the added bonus of 76% shooting success! He scored at least 20 points five times in November and, like Jaylen Johnson, his play has been key in Trae Young’s absence. He is averaging over 18 points per game this season, which is by far the best mark of his career.

– Zachary Rizacher is going through it. In an open game where his team scored 126 points on 57% shooting and 54% on 3-pointers, the Frenchman was not partying. He finished the game 1/10 on shots and 0/5 on 3-pointers, and playing time was limited to 20 minutes. Wit Krejci took advantage of the opportunity to play more than 30 minutes without making much of an impact on the match.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.