Relevant victory of Atlanta Hawks against one of their direct rival this season, Brooklyn Nets (115-122). The guys of Nate McMillan achieved won the match with one of the best exhibitions of Kevin Durant as a basketball player. The star of Nets did the most score on a match at the State Farm Arena (Atlanta, Georgia) with 55 points. All time maximum of his career, breaking the record of Allen Iverson (14 seasons on the NBA) with 53 points on 2005.
The first quarter of the game was very matched and ended with an advantage of Nets with 2 points against the team of Nate McMillan. Durant showed his good shape of form from the beginning of the match. In the first terms of the first half he completed a good performance and would make it clear that it would not be one more night. His 15 points on the first quarter did some advantage for Nets despite of the great start of De´Andre Hunter for Atlanta Hawks.
The bench of Hawks changed completely the path of the game. The substitutes did bigger the advantage at double digits. Atalanta was winning the game at break with a scoreboard of 65-50. Beyond Kevin Durant, any player of away team was doing a good performance. Trae Young (with 13 points and also 6 assists during the first half) was the best of his team next to Danilo Gallinari, that scored 11 points. They had a leading role during all the night.
After the first half, the match was with a similar rhythm. Hawks was near Nets but away team could not did the comeback. However, a partial of 21-13 for close the third quarter promised us an exciting end. Durant did 19 points out this 21 but he could not win the game.
The most important moment of the night could arrive on the last part of the game. Trae Young was probably the decisive man of his team. With a great coldness, he scored a triple on the last terms to take his team to the hurry victory. The American player ended the match with 36 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds. On the other hand, Durant did his best with 55 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
This match was essential for both teams. With this result Atlanta Hawks overtakes Nets on the East Conference. Both franchises are on the play-in and with real chances of achieve playoffs. The end of season will be so exciting with some teams fighting for a place.
Jorge Barbero
