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The Hawks got a much-needed win on Monday when they beat the
defending champion Milwaukee Bucks 121-114 for the second time
this season. The result ended a 10-game homecourt losing streak
-- one shy of matching the franchise record. The Hawks outscored
the Bucks 38-26 in the fourth quarter and used a 14-2 stretch to
stun Milwaukee.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is on a roll. The Timberwolves have won
two straight after a 112-110 road victory over the New York
Knicks on Tuesday, and they have won six of their past eight to
creep to within one game of avoiding the play-in round of the
playoffs.
This is the second and final match between the two teams this
season. The Hawks prevailed 121-110 on Dec. 6 in Minneapolis for
their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Minnesota's last win
in the series came at Atlanta on Nov. 22, 2019.
Hawks coach Nate McMillan hopes the victory over the Bucks will
get his team going in the right direction.
"It first starts with believing," McMillan said. "You've got to
believe that you can win a game, and I think we've had some
doubt with all the guys being out for the last two months.
You've got to believe that you have a chance to win and then
you've got to go out there and perform. I thought our guys did
that. They were together. They were connected."
Atlanta has benefited from the defense of De'Andre Hunter and
the development of Onyeka Okongwu, who has taken most of the
minutes at center as an ankle injury has kept Clint Capela out
for five consecutive games.
Hunter, who missed 26 games with a right wrist injury, has
scored 20 points twice in the four games since his return.
Okongwu missed the first 28 games of the season due to offseason
shoulder surgery and missed four other games due to COVID-19
protocol. Since Capela has been injured, Okongwu is averaging
8.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 27.6 minutes.
"He plays bigger than he looks," Hunter said of Okongwu. "I make
fun of him all the time, saying he's only 6-5, but he plays
really hard. He's a lot stronger than he looks and he's really
athletic."
Okongwu will have his hands full with Minnesota's Karl-Anthony
Towns, who converted a three-point play with 29.3 seconds
remaining to lead his team past the Knicks.
"That was the biggest moment I've had at Madison Square Garden,"
said Towns, who scored 20 against New York. "Great crowd, great
atmosphere, great energy and I got to silence everybody, so that
made it even better."
Towns, who is averaging 24.5 points and 9.2 rebounds this
season, had 31 points and 16 rebounds in the first meeting with
Atlanta this season.
Minnesota's Jaylen Nowell, who had been hobbled by an ankle
injury, produced 14 points, six rebounds and three assists in 23
minutes off the bench Tuesday.
Atlanta will again be without Capela, as well as Bogdan
Bogdanovic (right knee soreness). Minnesota's Jordan McLaughlin
is out due to health and safety protocol.
--Field Level Media
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