Atlanta Hawks Split Back-to-Back With Boston & Indiana
By Deke Lloyd
The Atlanta Hawks had a tough challenge with back-to-back games with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. After losing the first game with Boston, the Hawks bounced back to win against the Pacers.
After losing going through a ten-game losing streak, the Atlanta Hawks before the New Year with a win against the Orlando Magic. It was a hard-fought win with Trae Young still sidelined with a sprained ankle. With Trae returning for the back-to-back with Boston and Indiana, the Hawks had a chance to build on the momentum from the Orlando win.
The Hawks had a tough task having to go to Boston to play one of the best teams in the East. Trae was back with John Collins, Kevin Huerter, and the rest of the cast that was projected to be with the team at the start of the season. However, the Hawks continued to have bad luck when John Collins went down with a back injury that would knock him out of the Boston game and would miss the next game against Indiana.
The Hawks played the Celtics tough, but ultimately, fell short on the road losing 109-106. Trae was rusty but had a good game, scoring 28 points and adding 10 assists. It was an inspired performance from the young Hawks team, including good games from Hurter and Collins. The Hawks would fall short in Boston but brought that momentum from Boston back to Atlanta.
After the Boston loss, the Hawks returned to face off with the Indiana Pacers, another team that is an East playoff team. If the Hawks were deterred from their loss with Boston the following night, the team didn’t show it. The Hawks jumped on the Pacers early and stayed on them.
Against Indiana, Trae went off. Trae put 41 points with 8 assists. Kevin Huerter continued his great play by scoring a season-high 26 points. The Pacers would pullback in the game late, but it was the Hawks that held on the lead after the Pacers made it very close. It was a complete and very impressive win for the Hawks.
The Hawks will return to action on Monday night with the Denver Nuggets coming to Atlanta. Another playoff team for the Hawks after the back-to-back East foes. The Hawks will have their hands full with one of the West elites. Don’t be surprised to see the Hawks play Denver tough after the Hawks won in Denver earlier this season.