The Atlanta Hawks are hoping for a better home opener tomorrow night than their season opener in Charlotte.
After losing their first regular season game to the Hornets 116-110, the Hawks hope the home-court advantage will bring them a win to ease the sting of losing their first season road game on Wendesday.
The Hawks lead during the second and third quarters of the game, but couldn’t find a consistent rhythm and fell behind the Hornets in the fourth quarter. This despite the Hornets turning over the ball more times (19) than the Hawks (12.)
The Hawks shot 41% against the Hornets 50%. The team was collectively 39 for 93 in two-pointers and 5 for 29 in three-point shots. The Hornets were 43 of 86 in two-point shots and 11 of 37 on threes. Jalen Johnson was the most successful of the Hawks with 69% of his shots connecting. Clint Capella and Onyeka Okongwu both made 60% of their attempts. Trae Young successfully made only 21% of his shots.
The Hawks acknowledged they have work to do to improve their shooting success, especially 3-point shooting. Young, in particular, vowed to do better.
“I got to play a lot better,” said Young after the game. “I mean I don’t want to put anything on my teammates. I’m not going to shoot like that. I mean it’s tough. I’m not going to play like that. ”
“Sometimes when a team struggles like we struggled from the 3-point line…it becomes really difficult to defend in transition,” said Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “Layups and threes, I think we have a team that can make both of those.”
The New York Knicks will meet the Hawks on their home court in State Farm Arena on Friday. Atlanta is favored to win, but the team will have to defend its turf more aggressively and improve its three-point shooting to ensure a win. Opening tipoff is 7 p.m.