Hawks vs Knicks

Knicks jumped out to a 20-6 lead on the Hawks in the first quarter as the Hawks struggled to find their offense. They shot over 60% in that quarter and the Hawks just couldn’t find their rhythm.

The second quarter started with a goal tend call to count Dennis’ basket, then a Mike Scott three. With a few turnovers from the Knicks, and a three from Lamar Patterson, the Hawks found themselves down just five with 8:28 minutes left in the second quarter. This was the “Mike Scott quarter” as he had nine points off of the bench for the Hawks and they were within three. Hawks couldn’t convert on a couple of possessions and the Knicks went up ten. With a lot of back and forth action and open shots for the Knicks, they still had a ten-point lead with less than three minutes left in the first half. Jeff hit a three at the buzzer and the Hawks were down three at the half.

Al Horford knocked down the jumper to open the second half and an Arron Afflalo three rimmed in and out. He did knock down his next three attempt. Knicks were shooting 50% from three at that point of the game. Paul Millsap cleaned up Jeff’s drive to the bucket and then hit a left hook shot over Robin Lopez. The third was a much better quarter offensively for the Hawks as they went on a 11-2 run, finishing with a Kent Bazemore corner three, to take the lead 71-68 over the Knicks. Mike Scott had 14 points. He hit a three and then a layup off of the assist from Thabo and the Hawks went up ten with 4:46 minutes left in the third. Mike Scott had a season-high of 16 points and gave the Hawks a big push as they’d end the third quarter leading the Knicks 87-75.

The offense came in the form of free throws from Mike Scott early in the fourth quarter. Lamar Patterson with the nice drive to the basket to lay it up, he had 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Dennis passed it to Al who passed it to Thabo, while falling out of bounds, for the and-1 play. Back-to-back buckets from the Knicks couldn’t help them when they left Al open for the midrange jumper.  Kyle Korver knocked down his first three of the game and the Hawks were up 105-85 with 6:10 left in the game. Hawks remained in total control of the game as they maintained a 20-point lead with 2:24 left. They’d finish off their first contest against the Knicks winning 117-98.