New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Hawks- Game 51

New FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Hawks- Game 51

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (24-27) | Atlanta Hawks (24-25)

 

A 36-point double-double for Trae Young and the Hawks proved too much for the Lakers, as they fell 129-121 Sunday morning.

 

The Hawks are heating up in late January, as the Lakers handed them their 7th straight win yesterday. However, Malik Monk refused to go down in silence, scoring 33 points in light of Anthony Davis’ second return this week. A fully healthy Lakers team in the playoffs has the potential to be scary, but they just aren’t in the position they need to be right now.

Monk and AD both got the scoring started for the Lakers with consecutive threes, while Anthony Davis had 9 of the first 15 points. However, John Collins was feeling it early for the Hawks, hitting 10 of the first 17 for Atlanta. The first quarter served as an offensive explosion for both sides, as the game was close early.

Carmelo Anthony and Gallinari would trade buckets to end the first, but Austin Reaves got up to block Trae Young in the final minutes. Leaving an MVP candidate stunned, the Lakers were down by just one going into the second quarter. John Collins was a problem early, but near-flawless ball movement by the Lakers had them in a good position.

The Hawks maintained their slight lead throughout the second, with John Collins and Trae Young’s continued efficiency. However, the Lakers would begin to pour it on in the final minutes of the half, as a 21-7 run led by AD and Monk put them back on top. With the score 71-62 for the Lakers, it was the most points in a half the Lakers have put up this season. Eighteen points from AD and 19 points for Malik Monk were a big part of this success, but the team as a whole shot 71 percent from the field.

LeBron James continues to be sidelined for LA with knee swelling, proving just how impressive it was for Laker Nation. However, the Hawks are beginning to gain the league’s attention, and just a 9-point lead for the Lakers was nowhere near secure. They were looking to extend their win streak to 7 while the Hawks continued to climb in the Eastern Conference Standings. Both the Hawks and the Lakers are clinging for dear life in the playoff picture as the ten seeds now.

Frank Vogel stated before the game that Bron would be back as soon as he’s ready, as this was the final game of a road trip they hope to put behind them.

 

With 4-5 shooting from the arc for Malik Monk, they held a 9-point lead at 71-62 heading into the second half.  

 

The Lakers held the game for most of the third quarter as they continued to get great shots up. As AD put them up by 10 with a bucket to reach 20 points, Trae Young proceeded to lead a 12-0 run to follow. With the game back and forth in the third, one final 14-3 run in the quarter had them back on top by 10. The Lakers have had a well-known history of blowing these kinds of leads this season, and that disappointment would only continue.

The Lakers got another three from Monk to start the final quarter, but the Hawks immediately began to get something going. With Trae Young cutting the lead to just 2 for Atlanta, Lou Williams would follow with a three to put them in front once again.

Buckets would continue to be exchanged as the quarter wound down, with neither team able to capture a comfortable lead for themselves. However, as Stanley Johnson had the game tied late with a three, Trae Young would put them back up 3 with under 2 minutes to play. Malik Monk capped off his excellent night with his eight three of the game to tie, proving his value once again.

Trae Young would take over at the end by no one’s surprise, and the Hawks closed this one out with a victory. This win streak matches the Hawks’ longest of the season, but more importantly, it has them back in the playoff picture. Anthony Davis looked great Sunday morning, but they continue to lack the edge to put away their opponents. Now three games under .500 as the nine seed, on paper, the Lakers have a very slim chance of doing anything this year.

It will take a miracle for either of these teams to go on a run in the playoffs again, but a potent offense was a great takeaway from this one. The Lakers are heading home for a while now, as there is still enough time to make something happen. The ten seeded Trailblazers will be their first matchup of the homestand, and it’s nothing short of a must-win for the Lakers. While they await potential trades or moves in the organization, Laker Nation continues to hope they finally turn it around.

 

The Lakers finally head home to face Portland Wednesday, as the game can be seen at 7:30 on Spectrum.

 

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– Duncan Dye – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Duncan on Instagram @duncan.dye42

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