Denver Nuggets launch a second half assualt to beat the Atlanta Hawks 102-87
On Wednesday night, Denver Nuggets won the second consecutive game of their road trip, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 102-87. The victory snapped the two-game home winning
streak of the Hawks.
Atlanta were favourite going into the contest, but the Nuggets kept the momentum going, ignoring the boos of 14,669 basketball fans at Philips Arena. Commenting on
his teams’ unpredictability after the game, Denver coach George Karl said that, “The other team can't know what we're going to do because we don't know what we're going to do." "I just enjoy coaching them and they enjoy playing right now. Everybody had their
moment. It is kind of a fun team. I don't know who's going to finish most nights."
Nene contributed game-high 20 points, four blocks, seven assists, and six rebounds in the victory, while J.R. Smith and Arron Afflalo chipped in with 15 points each
for the Nuggets, who have won four straight games. Afflalo returned to the squad after missing three consecutive games of this season due to injury. Wilson Chandler added 14 points and 10 rebounds; Kenyon Martin also had 12 points and seven rebounds for Denver,
who have won seven of their last eight games now.
For the Hawks, the 26-year-old Zaza Pachulia came off the bench with team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford scored 13 points apiece for
the Hawks, who have lost six of the last ten games. Smith also pulled down nine rebounds. Joe Johnson had 12 points while the 26-year-old Marvin Williams posted 10 points in Atlanta’s 29th defeat of the season.
Game Story
The Nuggets got off to a fast start and went on a 6-0 run in the first two minutes to take an early lead. However, the Hawks responded with incredibly balanced scoring
as they raced to a 20-17 lead, going into the second.
Atlanta got a little bit loose around the mid-way point of the second quarter, turning the ball over and missing some easy shots. The Nuggets, on the other hand,
managed to convert the 3-point first quarter deficit into a 46-42 lead at halftime. The Nuggets continued their hot shooting throughout the third quarter, taking a 72-63 advantage into the final stanza.
Staring at a 9-point deficit, Hawks made a marginal comeback by the mid of the fourth quarter as they went on an early 6-0 run to make it 72-69. However, Denver responded
back and their lead was back to double-digits going into the last five minutes of the contest. It was all Nuggets after that, as they cruised to a 102-87 win.
Crawford said after the game, "It is tough.” "We had a chance there in the first half. We were playing well. I think in the fourth quarter we cut it to three. After
that it kind of got away from us."
Tags: