“ We played like we were panicking. (But) a win is a win and that’s the most important thing. » As Nikola Jokic says, it is not certain that this victory in Atlanta (122-129) will reassure the Nuggets. It at least has the merit of erasing their current bad series of three consecutive defeats.
To understand the state of “panic” to which the double MVP refers, you just have to take a look at the final seconds of this meeting. While the visitors were still 15 points ahead four minutes from the end, they experienced a few cold sweats due to Bogdan Bogdanovic on another planet and errors of judgment from Jamal Murray (six lost balls).
The latter, by taking control of the “scoring” of his team, had nevertheless signed a brilliant evening of skill. Like Nikola Jokic, who remained in two awkward matches, with an excellent shooting ratio while still flirting with the triple-double.
While Aaron Gordon did his job with a double-double, but Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and especially Michael Porter Jr. sank in terms of success (2/17 between them…), the two leaders of the team received valuable help rookie Julian Strawther, author of his career record (22 points). He was very important with his 13 points in the second quarter, to respond to the Hawks who had gotten off to the best start (36-25 at the end of the first quarter).
Leading by one possession at the break (62-65), the reigning champions calmed the ardor of the opposing backs by asserting their interior domination (64 points scored against 46 for the Hawks) and thus distancing themselves from the score, with a Jamal Murray always infallible in shooting. On a 3-point basket from Reggie Jackson, the Nuggets took a 20-point lead (88-108) ten minutes from the end.
But while Trae Young was no longer there and Dejounte Murray alternated between good and bad, Atlanta attempted an impossible run thanks to its Serbian shooter: three 3-point baskets in the last two minutes. ! An effort ultimately in vain.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Trae Young evicted. The leader was at 19 points when he thought (rightly) that Peyton Watson had committed a foul on his penetration, at the end of the third quarter. The non-whistle didn't sit well with him. His first technical foul was followed by a technical foul for his coach Quin Snyder. Then the leader ended up being kicked out for continuing to protest.
– Bogdan Bogdanovic's big night. Double career record for him, in points (40) and 3-point baskets scored (10). He became the first Hawks player to score 40 points with so many award-winning shots. Only Danilo Gallinari had already converted 10 3-point shots in the same game. Nikola Jokic said he was happy to see his compatriot in good health: “ This is the first time in a long time that he is moving normally and not having pain. I remember when he played matches like this, he seemed to never miss a shot. »
– The Hawks in full slide. While the Nuggets (15v-9d) find their way to victory, the Hawks (9v-13d) are getting bogged down. This is their fourth defeat in a row, and even the 6th in seven matches. 10th in the East, they will try to relaunch themselves away this week with a double trip to Toronto, before going to Cleveland.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
