In this duel between two teams far below pre-season ambitions and expectations, the Blazers were undoubtedly the most anticipated. Despite the absence of their “backcourt” (Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum), they wanted to react after four straight defeats (and even 11 defeats in 13 matches), including a last rousing received on the floor of the Lakers. They achieved it that night thanks to an unexpected hero: Anfernee Simons.
Each team may have its share of injured or quarantined players, neither had much difficulty finding their way to the circle. With a tandem Anfernee Simons – Norman Powell inspired to start the meeting, to respond to the attacks of the circle of Trae Young, Portland took a slight lead in the first quarter (36-32), then at the break (70-65 ).
Author of four 3-point baskets so far, the back of the Blazers has doubled the bet in the only third quarter, yet dominated by the Hawks, led by a Trae Young still untenable in penetration and inspired by the pass, especially in transition. With 40 points scored in this period, Atlanta was back in front (100-105).
With only two points scored in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, Atlanta lost pace with uninspired substitutes. The visitors especially struggled to contain Jusuf Nurkic below, who was largely involved in the takeover of the Blazers. Despite two new Trae Young missiles at the very end, Portland held on to the end.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Le duel Clint Capela – Jusuf Nurkic. Besides the gunner duel between Young and Simons, this internal battle was particularly interesting, especially in the fourth quarter. If the Swiss finished with an impeccable double-double, without missing a shot, he nevertheless struggled to contain his counterpart in the final minutes. Stuffed with balls at the post in the “money time” and sometimes benefiting from advantageous whistles, Jusuf Nurkic scored 11 of his 21 points.
– The Hawks rearmed. If their coach, Nate McMillan, had just been placed in Covid isolation, the Hawks were still able to recover six players doing the opposite: Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari, Sharife Cooper, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Onyeka Okongwu and Delon Wright. What to inflate the rotations and put aside the players from G-League. But apart from the finishes near the circle of the first city or the rebound activity of the second, these ghosts have on the whole contributed little.
– A pleasant match. Fans of big defenses will come back but it was a smooth overall game with two skillful and altruistic teams up front. No less than six players finished with 21 or more points, including four from the Blazers.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Anfernee Simons. Career record for the back of the Blazers who had exceeded 10 points scored … only once in his last five matches! Tonight, as his potential had suggested since the start of his career, he completely caught fire behind the 3-point line (9/16), especially in the third quarter. He did not crack in the last moments of the free throws to finish the match.
✅ Bring young. A career record as well and this NBA season’s record for the Hawks’ leprechaun who made even stronger than his opposite at night. The leader was exceptional narrowly in his choices, varying between penetrations and long distance shots, while continuing to feed his partners, with good throwing passes in transition. The result is a monstrous double-double, never seen since James Harden in 2016 with the Rockets. His annoyance was seen on his face when he scored his last prize-winning basket: his crazy performance did not lead to the victory.
✅ Nassir Little. If Norman Powell finished with a few more points and a better evaluation, we still retain the beautiful exit Nassir Little, less expected, author of his best game of the season. Active on the rebound, he displayed great confidence behind the arc.
⛔ La paire Lou Williams – Danilo Gallinari. Very small outing for the veterans of the Hawks who haven’t given Trae Young much offensive support. It will be remembered that the two men were on the floor when Atlanta experienced an air gap at the start of the fourth quarter.
THE FOLLOWING
Portland (14-22) : reception of the Heat, Wednesday.
Atlanta (16-20) : trip to Sacramento, Wednesday.
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