Peachtree Hoops: Hawks collapse late in 125-114 loss to Philadelphia 76ers

[Hawksquawk]

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks lost to the 76ers in Philadelphia on Friday night by a final score of 125-114. They played without Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Kobe Bufkin, and Mouhamed Gueye. The starting lineup featured Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Saddiq Bey, and Clint Capela. The 76ers’ starters included Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, and Joel Embiid.

Embiid dominated early, scoring nine of the 76ers’ first 14 points. Dejounte Murray contributed seven points in the opening six minutes. At the midway point of the first quarter, the 76ers led 17-11. As the quarter progressed, the Hawks struggled, trailing 27-16. Coach Quin Snyder then made a lineup change, inserting Trent Forrest, Patty Mills, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Saddiq Bey, and Onyeka Okongwu.

By the end of the first quarter, the Hawks were outscored 35-23, struggling to find their offensive rhythm and shooting only 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. Their lone three-pointer came with just 2:21 remaining in the quarter.

The Hawks started the second quarter strong, outscoring the 76ers 14-8. A three-pointer from Patty Mills reduced the deficit to six points with ten minutes left in the second quarter.

Patty for threee pic.twitter.com/ezJnQ80prX

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 9, 2023

Later in the quarter, it was Bogdan Bogdanovic keeping the Hawks afloat. He made two three-pointers on back-to-back possessions. On the following possession, Dejounte Murray made a layup. Then, Bogdanovic knocked down yet another three to cut the lead to one.

3 threes in the quarter for Bogi ️ ️ ️ pic.twitter.com/5ULGmjerwO

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 9, 2023

The Hawks were able to come back from a 14-point deficit and took a six-point lead by halftime. Bogdanovic led the way with 17 points, Hunter scored 13, and Murray added his own 12. The Hawks shot 7-of-15 from three in the second quarter after Quin Snyder allegedly encouraged the players to shoot with confidence. The score was 68-62 as the players entered the locker-room.

The two teams played relatively even for the first six minutes of the third quarter. Tyrese Maxey capitalized on a second-chance three-point opportunity that gave the 76ers a 85-83 lead with five minutes remaining. A three-pointer and a floater from Hunter put the Hawks back on top.

Yeah Dre

12 has 21 so far pic.twitter.com/3AayTNDAH8

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 9, 2023

The Hawks were outscored 31-24 in the third quarter, which left them trailing 93-92 entering the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter played even with both teams tied at 104 with six minutes remaining in the game. An and-one from Saddiq Bey put the Hawks on top of the 76ers about one minute of gameplay later.

After a string of poor offensive possessions, the Hawks led the 76ers overtake them late in the game. The Hawks proceeded to not make a field goal for over four minutes of gameplay after taking a 109-106 lead. The 76ers led 121-109 before the Hawks scored again, as the game finished 125-114.

Results of the Hawks' 9 possessions following Clint Capela's free throws to take a 109-106 lead:

Turnover
Turnover
Miss
Turnover
Miss
Miss
Miss
Miss
Turnover

— joe schmidt (@Joe_Schmidt07) December 9, 2023

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