Hawks hold off Pelicans, 102-99

The Atlanta Hawks were on the road for a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night. The Hawks didn’t play their best Wednesday, but held off the Pelicans by a score of 102-99.

The Hawks got out to a slow start, trailing 33-19 after the first quarter. Trae Young had nine points, four rebounds and two assists after one, but the rest of the team was sloppy to put it nicely. Young also achieved a bit of personal history early in this one:

The Hawks responded with a 34-26 second quarter, trailing by six at the break. It could have been closer, as Atlanta got within one point late in the half before New Orleans closed the second on a 5-0 run.

John Collins had 10 points (8 in the second quarter) and five rebounds in the first half, while Young posted 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.

The Hawks faired much better in the third quarter, out scoring the Pelicans 31-18 in the period, taking a six-point lead to the final frame. Young had a stellar third, posting 10 points and 2 assists in just over nine minutes of play.

New Orleans however would come back in the fourth, beginning the period on a 15-5 run. They held Atlanta to just seven points in the first 7:56 of the fourth, and lead by three before Bogdan Bogdanovic tied the game at the 4:03 mark.

Young got the offense rolling again late, scoring a pair of buckets to give the Hawks a 98-94 lead with 2:14 to go. New Orleans rallied to tie before Collins slammed this one down with 55 seconds to go, giving the Hawks a 100-98 lead.

The Hawks held on from there, winning by a score of 102-99 after a couple of free throws from Young late.

Young finished with 31 points and seven assists in the win. Collins finished with 16 points, 12 rebound and four assists. Devonte’ Graham led New Orleans with 21 points.

The Hawks will be on a back-to-back, as they play in Washington vs. the Wizards on Thursday night.

Stay tuned.