(Atlanta) Gary Trent had 31 points and the Toronto Raptors ended a seven-game Hawks winning streak with a 106-100 win in Atlanta on Monday.
Updated yesterday at 11:21 p.m.
Trent was dazzling from long distance, shooting nine three-pointers. In this respect, the visitors were exceptional, with a success rate of 50% (18 in 36).
Trent has scored at least 31 points in his last four meetings. “This guy makes very difficult shots, said Pascal Siakam, author of 25 points. It’s his bread and butter. He plays extremely well. »
Siakam is one of five NBA players to average 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The others are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden and Nikola Jokic.
Fred VanVleet had 16 points, one more than OG Anunoby. VanVleet added 11 assists, several of which led to all-important shots. Scottie Barnes was limited to seven points, but he provided a steal and three blocks.
“At the half, the coaches showed the guys streaks of six types of play that hurt us, and that we are used to countering better,” said head coach Nick Nurse.
“It’s the little things that make a chain reaction. We did a little more blitzing, which earned us some turnovers.
“We made more permutations in defense, we cut passing angles, made sure to act faster here and there. We have taken away their wiggle room. »
The Raptors (25-23) have won three of their last four games. Eighth in the East, they came within a game and a half of the seventh-placed Charlotte Hornets.
The Raptors were down 57-48 at the half, after Atlanta scored 12 of the last 14 points in the half.
Trent shone late in the third quarter, with two long shots in 30 seconds. Following up on a pass from VanVleet, the latter gave the Toronto club an 80-72 lead, to the sound of the siren.
With 1:35 remaining in the final quarter, Trent hit the mark from long range, giving the Raptors a 101-97 cushion.
Bogdan Bogdanovic responded with a three-point shot as well, keeping the score very tight.
Kevin Huerter missed a shot after which Anunoby, spotted by VanVleet, got the ropes moving for three points, with 20 seconds left.
Siakam completed with free throws, after John Collins missed a shot that took his performance from the 3-point line to 0 for 4.
On Saturday, the Raptors beat the Heat after three overtimes in South Florida. It will be a busy week for the Raptors. Toronto will first play again on Tuesday at home, against Miami.
The Bulls will be in Toronto on Thursday and the next day the Hawks will be the visitors to Canada.
Huerter led the Hawks with 26 points, including five 3-pointers. Huerter was five for six on three-point shooting. Bogdanovic went there by 18 points.
Star guard Trae Young wasn’t playing, bothered by a bruised right shoulder.
He was injured Sunday in colliding with Carmelo Anthony of the Lakers. Atlanta prevailed, securing a seventh straight win.
Young is fifth in the NBA with 27.7 points per game. He ranks third in the league with 9.3 assists per game.