They did not play great basketball, but the Atlanta Hawks did find their way to victory against the decimated Philadelphia Sixers, whom they beat 112-94 and broke a four-game losing streak.
Point guard Trae Young scored 26 points, including the first three baskets of the Hawaks’ dominating start (5-5), which left behind what was the worst losing streak in the NBA.
Guard De’Andre Hunter and point guard Brandon Goodwin each had 15 points when they helped the Hawks win, who also received the support of Swiss center Clint Capela, who achieved a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while six Atlanta players ended up with double-digit numbers.
Young, who was limited to a combined 22 points in his last two games, regained his touchdown. He opened the second half with a jump shot and added consecutive layouts.
Young’s streak marked the one the Hawks had 2-15 Atlanta’s 15-2 run to open the second half. The Hawks extended a 65-50 lead at halftime to an 80-52 lead during the third quarter.
Atlanta led 95-65 at the end of the third before Young and other starters were left out of the final period.
Cameroonian center Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie guard Isaiah Joe had 18 points, which did not prevent the defeat of the Sixers (7-4), who lost the third consecutive game.
Another rookie, power forward Tyrese Maxey, who scored 39 points in his first start against Denver, reached 15 points.
The Sixers used nine players. That may have seemed like an abundance of depth after Philadelphia was limited to just seven in Saturday’s 103-115 home loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Power forward Mike Scott (knee) and Embiid (back strain) returned to add depth to the Philadelphia team, but couldn’t avoid defeat in the end.
Philadelphia is far from full force. Australian guard Ben Simmons (left knee pain) was out again. Depth problems will continue for the past week after guard Seth Curry tested positive for Covid-19 last Thursday.
Forward Tobias Harris and reserves Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle and Vincent Poirier were once again excluded due to the Covid-19 health and safety protocols. The NBA canceled two games on Monday due to the coronavirus.
