The Atlanta Hawks were back at home Sunday evening to face the Philadelphia 76ers. After a rough loss against the Detroit Pistons following their mini-break, the Hawks were looking to get back on track.
The last time these two teams saw each other, the game went into overtime, with the Hawks coming out on top. This time around, the 76ers were without Tyrese Maxey, as he deals with an illness.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker seemed to have hurt his ankle on the first play of the game, but came back out after the timeout and knocked down a three-pointer. A signal that all was well.
Dyson Daniels knocked a three-pointer a few minutes after.
The Hawks were able to force the 76ers into some turnovers early in the game, and the Hawks were able to capitalize, whether it was in transition or at the free-throw line. They were able to maintain the lead throughout the quarter, even with the 76ers knocking down some threes.
Vit Krejci started feeling it down the stretch of the first, and he knocked down two three-pointers, and he got fouled while shooting another one. He finished the quarter with 11 points and helped the Hawks go into the second quarter with a 39-29 lead.
The Hawks let go of the lead in the second quarter, with not much coming offensively from the group that was in. They were to hold their own a little on defense, but the 76ers were able to take the lead. It wasn’t for long, because the Hawks fought back, and it became a back-and-forth contest from there.
Late in the quarter, Daniels showed off his defensive prowess and met Quentin Grimes at the rim for an impressive dunk.
Right after that play, Krejci hit a wide-open three-pointer.
Things got a little testy down the stretch, as Joel Embiid elbowed Onyeka Okongwu in the chin going up for a shot. Okongwu hit the ground, and Jalen Johnson came over and gave Embiid a slight push, which got both teams tangled up. Embiid was called for a flagrant, and Okongwu knocked down 1 of his 2 free throws.
The Hawks were able to keep the lead going into halftime, as they led 59-55.
To start the third quarter, Okongwu and Daniels got to their bread and butter for an easy bucket in the paint.
Zaccharie Risacher got things going in the third, knocking down two three-pointers.
The Hawks had a lot of success getting to the rim, more specifically, Daniels, who got a few floaters and layups to go in the third.
Krejci continued his hot night from the perimeter, knocking down another three-pointer to add to his scoring total.
Asa Newell came in toward the end of the third and scored five points for the Hawks, keeping them afloat and helping them maintain their lead going into the fourth.
The Hawks continued to use ball movement to their advantage, getting easy shots in the paint and out on the perimeter. The 76ers kept themselves in the game, but the Hawks did everything in their power to break away. Risacher continued playing well in the second half, and knocked down a big three-pointer in transition.
Okongwu knocked down a three late to give the Hawks a five-point lead.
The 76ers stayed in it, and with less than a minute remaining, they made it a one-point game. The Hawks were not able to convert a shot on the other end, and the 76ers had a chance to take the lead. After several chances, they were not able to knock down a shot, and the Hawks got possession with 2.5 seconds left in the game.
The 76ers played the foul game, and Alexander-Walker knocked down both free throws to give the Hawks a three-point lead with 1.5 seconds left. Grimes got a shot off, but it did not go in, and the Hawks walked away with the win.
Daniels finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, Okongwu finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds, Johnson finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, and Krejci finished with 19 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.
