Reeling Hawks 'busted in the mouth' in Orlando
Atlanta thought they'd get their record above .500 against short-handed Orlando. But it was the Magic who had the record performance.
The Magic scored 50 points in the first, blowing away their old team record of 44 points in a quarter. They're only the ninth team to ever open a game with a 50-point quarter, just one point short of the 2019 Warriors' record of 51 first-quarter points.
Orlando was unlikely for such an offensive eruption, as only two teams score fewer points than Orlando's 108.2 per game. In their clash with the Hawks two weeks ago, Orlando didn't score its 50th point Plus they were missing starters Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Suggs. It didn't matter.
Backup point guard Markelle Fultz had four assists and three steals in the first, while backup center Moe Wagner scored 7 points. He and his brother Franz combined for 18 points and were 4-4 from three-point range in the quarter.
Hawks coach Nate McMillan thought his team didn't bring it. "Urgency, energy, scrappy play is something that you have to bring every single night," McMillan told reporters. "You can't wait until you're busted in the mouth before you respond."
Atlanta has been getting busted in the mouth regularly. The Hawks have lost five of six, giving up over 120 points in all but one of those games (a 113-89 loss to the Knicks). Before Dejounte Murray and John Collins hurt their ankles, the defense was decent. Without them, it's a sieve.
The Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu couldn't believe it happened against Orlando. "Giving up 50 points in one quarter is kind of ridiculous," he said after the game. "But that’s the NBA. We’re all here for a reason. Everybody can play, and you’ve got to be ready from the start."
Atlanta wasn't ready. They better get ready in the rematch with Orlando on Dec. 19.
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