In my 44 years on this Blessed Earth, I have never seen a game like I just witnessed. Well, to be honest, I watched all the way to the third quarter when it was 87-69, Sixers in the lead. I thought this was a perfect time for me to put my three kids to bed. When I returned, game still on my TV, it was one minute left in game and the Hawks were up by one point 105-104. My mouth dropped at that point as I turned the volume up. Down 26 points in an epic comeback for the ages, and the city of Atlanta.
Guard Trae Young had another glorious night shooting where his right shoulder was still taped, but put up 39 points and seven assists. Forward John Collins had a double, double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. But the night belonged to Guard Lou Willams who took over in the fourth quarter. Wow, the trade to send G Rajon Rondo to the LA Clippers in return for formal Hawk, and hometown kid Williams paid dividends last night. Down by 18 points in the fourth quarter, the Hawks went on a 40-19 run to end the game and win 109-106. Williams had 15 points and made fade away after fade away shots that hit nothing but net. Sixers C Joel Embiid had 37 points but only 13 in the second half. Guard Seth Curry had 36 points an no other Sixers’ players had more than eight points.
Hawks/76ers Game 5 looks at 76ers/Hawks Game 4 and says, “Hold my Beer.”
Mark A. Kirkley
These Hawks have played in some hostile areas the last two playoffs series. They won two games on the road at Madison Square Garden, the most iconic basketball arena in the USA. They then turn around and so far have beaten the Sixers at their place two times, holding off a four point lead in game one of this series 128-124, and this last game 109-106. The Hawks handed the Sixers just their eighth and ninth lost of this season at Wells Fargo Center. Sixers only lost seven regular season games at home.
In game four of this series in Atlanta, the Hawks were down by 10 early as the Sixers jumped all over the Hawks early in building a 62-49 lead over Atlanta at the half before Atlanta roared back in victory. Then in game five the Hawks were down 18 going into the fourth before a hostile Philadelphia crowd and won the game late. I thought game four topped it off but I was wrong. Hawks/76ers Game 5 looks at 76ers/Hawks Game 4 and says, “Hold my beer.”
The Hawks could finish off the Sixers Friday night in Atlanta, game time set for 7:30pm EST. If Sixers win the series would move back to Philadelphia for game seven, date and time TBD.
The winner of this series will play either the Milwaukee Bucks or Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference Championship for the rights to represent the east in the NBA Finals.
The Hawks are now up three games to two in the best four out of seven in the eastern conference semi playoff round.
Header photo courtesy of AJC
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