Rookie Cam Reddish scored a career-high 25 points, but the Hawks (5-17) fell to the Nets 130-118 Wednesday at State Farm Arena.
Below are some takeaways from the loss:
1. The Hawks got crushed on the boards, particularly in the first half, with the Nets tallying 32 rebounds (14 offensive, 18 defensive) and 17 second-chance points compared to the Hawks’ 18 rebounds (four offensive, 14 defensive) at halftime. That helped Brooklyn swing the game in its favor in the second quarter despite shooting just 38.2% from the field in the first half, compared to the Hawks’ 48.8%. Despite their rebounding woes, the Hawks only trailed by nine points, 91-82, going into the fourth quarter, before the Nets barely missed a shot in the fourth (16-for-21, 4-for-6 from 3-point range) to pull away. In total, the Nets grabbed 53 rebounds (18 offensive, 35 defensive) compared to the Hawks’ 35 (9 offensive, 26 defensive).
2. A 10-0 run by rookie Cam Reddish himself brought the Hawks within eight of the Nets with 8:49 to play in the fourth quarter. The Hawks couldn’t challenge for the lead, but still, after struggling in his last four games, shooting 8-for-32 over that stretch, Reddish had by far the best outing of his young career. Reddish shot with confidence and finished with a career-high 25 points (10 of 17 from the field, 4 of 7 from 3), to go with six rebounds and three steals. It was an encouraging performance from the rookie, who was quick to develop into a disruptive defender but has struggled mightily shooting the ball. “It was good to see Cam really come out and play with aggression and make shots and really take over the game for a stretch, period of time, and we need that energy,” Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said. “We need his confidence, him playing like that was really refreshing and good to see.”
3. After being out for 11 games with a left shoulder injury (the Hawks went 1-10 over that stretch), Kevin Huerter returned to the court. Even playing with a 15-minute cap, his presence was much-needed, given that rookie De’Andre Hunter was ruled out with a dislocated right index finger, Allen Crabbe was out with right knee soreness and Chandler Parsons was out with flu-like symptoms. Huerter looked rusty, missing the only two shots he took, but getting him back is key for the Hawks moving forward, as they gain another shooting threat. The Hawks have three days off before playing in Charlotte Sunday, which gives Huerter, Hunter, Crabbe and Parsons more time to heal.
4. At 113.9, the Hawks have the second-worst defensive rating in the league, and that showed in Wednesday’s loss. The Nets got off to a slow start, with the Hawks leading by four going into the second quarter, before they took over the game. Four Nets scored 20-plus points (Garrett Temple had 27, Spencer Dinwiddie had 24, former Hawk Taurean Prince had 23, making 5 of 7 3-point attempts, and Jarrett Allen had 20). “We have to be into the ball a little bit more with pressure,” Pierce said. “We have to pressure their passers. They came off and hit a bunch of 3’s after timeouts. And that’s on the ball -- the defender guarding the basketball, just having pressure on the passer. The pick-and-rolls, we have to be a little more aggressive. The containment was an issue, but that’s everybody. It doesn’t matter who’s injured. It’s whoever is on the court has to do a little bit better with regards to their responsibility.”
5. Trae Young had his 11th 30-point game of the season (his fifth 30-point, 10-assist game of the season). Young led the team in scoring with 39 points, to go with 10 assists. Young has 12 career games with 30-plus points and 10-plus assists, which is the most by any NBA player before turning 22.
By the numbers
20 (the new career-high in scoring for center Damian Jones, two days after setting a career-high of 16 points in the Hawks’ win over the Warriors)
Quotable
"It felt like I was in a rush, a lot, in previous games. So just trying to slow down, play my game, play at my pace and not be sped up. Film's helping. My teammates are helping." (Cam Reddish on his career night)
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