In a true offensive battle, the Atlanta Hawks (6-19) saved the victory against the heavily weakened Orlando Magic (11-17) just like that into the goal – 117:110 (Boxscore). Ersan Ilyasova’s perfect night formed the outstanding casting performance of the Hawks.
Before the game, Magic-Coach Frank Vogel had to mix up his starting line-up again. Orlando had to do without Eric Fournier – and now also Aaron Gordon – in addition to the long-time injured Jonathan Isaac and Terrence Ross. Gordon had suffered a concussion in the previous match against Denver Nuggets and so the Magic had to forego their two top scorers against Atlanta.
So, as expected, the Magic could not hide minor problems in the starting line-up – for the first time with Mario Hezonja. The hosts then used this opportunity to gain a double-digit lead in the first quarter. Having fallen asleep from the innocent start of the guests, the Hawks then wore off and Orlando suddenly got a constant offensive from Nikola Vucevic. Orlando even took the lead for a short time, but Dennis Schröder secured the 57:54 half-time lead with a Buzzerbeater.
In the second half, there was an open exchange of blows: hardly any defence – but a lot of offensive actions. After a very weak first half, Jonathon Simmons turned Simmons on for Orlando and played an active part in almost every basket success of his team. Vucevic also continued to dominate at all corners and ends.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic: This way to the BOXSCORE!
In the end, however, it was actually two defensive actions that decided the game in favour of the Hawks. With 0:37 to play, the game was even 110:110 until Kent Bazemore caught a pass and crossed the line with a net. In the action that followed, Taurean Prince blocked Shelvin Mack’s jump shot, and Bazemore, who was then fouled, showed no nerves on the line and then even intercepted the Magic’s throw again and put the lid on the game.
The first triple double in Vucevic’s career (31 points, 13/18 FG, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) faded within the defeat and even Simmons could not really enjoy his new career best score of 29 points (13/24 FG).
Atlanta shared the responsibility on several shoulders, but was able to thank Ersan Ilyasova, who with 26 points (9/9 FG, 5/5 3FG) delivered a perfect throwing performance from the field. Matchwinner Bazemore was the second best scorer of the Hawks with 19 points (7/12 FG) and also got 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Dennis Schröder (18 points, 6/19 FG) was the only Hawk who didn’t want to drop the throw. Nevertheless, with only one ball loss and 7 assists he delivered a strong score.
For friends of hardcore Defense this argument was certainly nothing. Both teams had correspondingly high throwing rates, but the Hawks in particular outperformed the field with 51.3 percent and 51.5 percent from outside, beating the 50 percent mark for the third time this season in both scores.
Both teams celebrated a real assist party: for the third time in the NBA season so far, both teams had at least 33 ball scores in one game. Orlando’s 39 assists were a season high for her and set the third highest score of the season.
Atlanta has the weakest defensive rebound rate of the entire league so far this season. This weakness proved itself again against Orlando: already in the first half time the Magic 8 offensive rebounds collected and almost reached their season average (8.3). The numerous second chances brought the Magic back into the game in the second quarter.
The NBA live at SPOX! All games in the LIVESTREAM calendar!
Frank Vogel (Magic-Coach):”We played hard and I am proud of our performance. In the end, they just made the deciding plays – we didn’t.”
Ersan Ilyasova. Without this sensationally efficient throwing performance, the Hawks would not have won this game, and the same goes for the final phase of Kent Bazemore, who gets the title “Hero of the Game”.
Aaron Afflalo. Few people would have even noticed that he was involved. In fact, he was on the pitch for 25 minutes and left a bagel in most of the statistics.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer recognized Magic’s weakness for defending pick&pop and decided to play mostly without a classic center. Ilyasova moved in phases to the Five and also Rookie Tyler Cavanaugh (14 points, 3/5 3FG, 8 rebounds) was allowed a full 27 minutes on the floor and thanked his trainer with a strong performance.