Peachtree Hoops: Hawks fall short against Nets in another late-game thriller, 114-113

[Hawksquawk]

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Wednesday evening as they took on the Brooklyn Nets at home.

The last time these two teams played, it was an overtime thriller on Thanksgiving Eve with the Hawks pulling out the victory in the end.

De’Andre Hunter came out with an attacking mindset to start the game, scoring the first five points of the evening for the Hawks.

Dre attacking the rack in the early going pic.twitter.com/HcEiTfT7nL

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

The Hawks were turning defense into offense early in the game as well, with this easy score for Saddiq Bey.

DJ grabs the loose ball, hits the behind-the-back dribble, and finds Saddiq pic.twitter.com/o7cX7VKqv2

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

Trae Young continues his solid defensive play throughout the season, coming in and taking the charge.

Trae cuts off the drive, forces the kick out, and takes the charge pic.twitter.com/nfNSFnl2OC

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

The second quarter was rough for both teams on offense, as they had a had a hard time making shots. The game stayed neck and neck throughout the quarter and the Hawks led at halftime 56-53.

Going into the third quarter, the Hawks began to gain more momentum and extend their lead. Dejounte Murray was doing it all for the Hawks, and was on triple-double watch.

DJ on triple-double watch

11 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST in the first half@DejounteMurray x @GaNaturalGas pic.twitter.com/05sHMWgkK5

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

Just like the first game these two teams played against each other, the Nets fought back keeping the game in reach. Bogdan Bogdanovic kept it rolling for the Hawks and kept his streak alive of hitting two threes in 15 consecutive games.

Bogi has made 2+ 3s in 15 games in a row

That's the longest active streak in the NBA pic.twitter.com/dTVfDmdl2w

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

The Hawks led the Nets 82-81 going into the fourth quarter, thanks to Young heating up late in the third. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair similar to their first game. Bey was doing the dirty work in the paint for the Hawks, getting the tip in after a missed shot.

Bey buckets in the fourth pic.twitter.com/tjky87tx5o

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

Trae Young did Trae Young things down the stretch of the game, hitting this three to give the Hawks the lead.

TRA3 pic.twitter.com/wjI77BagHk

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 7, 2023

The Hawks and Nets continued to trade baskets down to the final seconds, with Bey giving the Hawks a one-point lead with 35.4 seconds left in the game. The Nets answered back quickly with Mikal Bridges making a layup. The Hawks missed the shot down the other end, and fouled Spencer Dinwiddie, but he split the free throws.

With 22.2 seconds left, the Hawks were down two points and Young knocked down a three to give the Hawks a one-point lead. That didn't phase the Nets, and Bridges came down and hit a contested two-pointer with 4.5 seconds left to give the Brooklyn a one-point lead.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, Young missed the game-winning shot, and the Nets walked away with the victory.

Young finished with 30 points and nine assists and Dejounte Murray finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

The Hawks will be back in action on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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