Atlanta Hawks: Several Positives Emerge Despite 0-2 Start
Shooting in Game Two
The Atlanta Hawks struggled to make shots in the loss to the Orlando Magic. The Hawks shot just 33.8 percent from the floor and paltry 27.5 percent from beyond the arch. In the process, the team scored only 88 points.
Aside from the previously mentioned John Collins, Cam Reddish struggled from the field the most sinking just 1/7 shots. This includes miss firing on all five three-point shot attempts. DeAndre’ Bembry who started at shooting guard, connected on just 2/6 shots, all being two-point field goal attempts.
Off the bench, Jabari Parker made just 3/9 shot attempts. Reserve guard Brandon Goodwin failed to make any of the four shots he attempted as well. De’Andre Hunter shot the ball well overall, but he struggled from deep, making just 1/5 shots from three-point range.
The Hawks shoot a lot of threes and play at a fast pace, so there will be off nights. The fewer nights the Atlanta Hawks have like game two against Orlando, the more games the team will win.
Injuries
The Atlanta Hawks have yet to see their full complement of talent together, due to a variety of injuries. Most notably, starting shooting guard Kevin Huerter has missed both contests with a knee injury.
Evan Turner who was acquired from the Portland Trailblazers for Kent Bazemore has also missed the Atlanta Hawks first two exhibition games. He is dealing with a sore Achilles tendon.
Veteran wing Allen Crabbe was acquired in the deal that sent starting small forward Taurean Prince to the Brooklyn Nets. He is undergoing rehab for a right knee injury that had held him out thus far. Often injured forward Chandler Parsons, who came over from Memphis is also yet to make an appearance, due to knee injury issues.
None of the Atlanta Hawks injuries are thought to be serious. However, Parsons has had chronic knee problems that could be an issue going forward. The main thing is coach Lloyd Pierce needs all of his weapons available, in order to create continuity in the rotations.