Ninth in the Eastern Conference with 42 wins for 38 losses, the Hawks can still hope to grab 7th place.
The victory, the sixth in their last seven outings, took shape in the third quarter when Trae Young took charge. The Hawks’ All Star point guard scored 16 of his 30 points during that span, by the end of which his team had a 12-point lead (95-83).
Clint Capela meanwhile managed 19 points (9 of 11 shooting), 7 rebounds and 4 steals, in 25 minutes on the floor. The Geneva interior was not even the Hawks’ best rebounder, Danila Gallinari having for her part finished the meeting with 10 catches.
The Hawks have therefore won 27 of the 41 games they have played at home this season, including 19 of the last 22. They will probably have to win their last two meetings in the regular championship, in Miami on Friday and in Houston on Sunday, to obtain a 7th place occupied by Cleveland (43-37). A 7th place which will offer the advantage of the floor in the first jump-off against the 8th.
