Like last year, the Hornets failed to overcome the “play-in” obstacle. And just like last year, the Pacers never made it to the weight of the night on the floor of the Hawks (132-103).
In the wake of Trae Young (24 points, 10 assists), certainly clumsy (8/24 on shots, 1/7 on 3-pts) but perfect leader of the local collective (five extra players on more than 10 points), The Atlanta players were not worried for a moment. Quickly regain control, thanks to a simply terrible and disastrous defense of the opponent, then relax until the end.
On Charlotte’s side, between this desperate defense, a dubious attitude – as if it were a vulgar regular season contest – and the horrendous performance of the supposed leaders, this 2021/22 campaign ends quite brutally, but no less logically.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
† A more effective collective for Atlanta† Aside from the duel between Trae Young and LaMelo Ball, largely won by the former, it is mainly the contribution of the other players on their side that will be examined in this match. Result of the races: It was a real massacre, as Young’s lieutenants amused themselves against the “defense” of the Hornets. Between Kevin Huerter’s outer baskets, Clint Capela’s paint job, Danilo Gallinari’s cleanliness, De’Andre Hunter’s post-break shot and Bogdan Bogdanovic’s points off the bench, it was just untenable for Charlotte over time. .
† Charlotte exploded in defense† It’s been months, if not years, that the Hornets have plateaued because of a defense that is too tolerant, sometimes bordering on the odious. And their ills in this sector of the game crop up even more as the adversity mounts and the cleavers draw closer. Preview this night, with this beating received in Georgia against a team that is simply more competitive and suited to big meetings. James Borrego’s men were unable to hold out defensively for several series in a row and so opened from afar and close to Atlanta.
TOPS/FLOPS
Atlanta holders† Trae Young was well restrained by the Hornets, it was his lieutenants who took the opportunity to shine. Thanks to the good shifts of their All-Star point guard, brilliant in creation but also occasionally involved in scoring, Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari, De’Andre Hunter and Clint Capela in turn managed to propel comfortably. (and certainly) their team in charge. On the other hand, Charlotte just did not know where to go, logically she lost sight of this part and underwent a real correction on arrival.
PJ Washington† While LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier watered in vain, it was PJ Washington (17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks) who played a pivotal role for the Hornets. With his outside address, as well as his ability to attack the circle, he didn’t let his team fall on the scoreboard in the first half and stay a fair distance from the Hawks. Except that upon returning from the locker room, Charlotte’s interior, like all of his teammates, sank to Atlanta’s collective offensive power. Still, he presented a rather attractive face for 24 minutes.
The Ball-Rozier duo† Among the Hornets’ three main offensive options, along with Miles Bridges (by the way, ousted), LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier have holes. No success in the first half, and somewhat annoyed by the referees’ whistles, they were never sure of the evening. In the second half, however, they continued to water excessively, eventually collecting a terrible… 15/47 on shots (including 6/22 on 3-pts), with 8 bullet losses! Difficult to weigh positively on a team’s play under these circumstances, despite a full stat sheet…
Charlotte’s third quarter† While De’Andre Hunter was clumsy in the first period, he revived (and partied) after the break, thanks to the spaces the Hornets had left in the racket. Orbited by Trae Young, he planted a whopping 16 points in the only third quarter, to take out his opponents for good in this encounter. And, in addition to Hunter, James Borrego’s men also burst into the jokes of Young and others, in full demonstration, to the point of suffering a…42-24 in twelve minutes!
THE FOLLOWING
Atlanta : Travel to Cleveland, on the night of Friday to Saturday, to take 8th place in the East.
Charlotte : on the way to the holidays.
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