A Trae Young game-winner and Dyson Daniels masterclass on both ends of the floor has helped the Atlanta Hawks to a 132-130 victory over the Detroit Pistons, snapping their eight-game losing streak.
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The Hawks and Pistons were all tied up at 130-130 entering the final 8.5 seconds before Young called game, rising up for a circus shot that was certainly not how coach Quin Snyder drew it up.
But Snyder certainly wasn’t complaining and it wasn’t the first time Young had made a miracle, game-sealing shot this year, having produced a stunning heave from beyond halfway to sink the Utah Jazz.
While Young came up clutch for the Hawks late, Atlanta would have lost Tuesday’s game if it wasn’t for the defensive heroics of Daniels.
Cade Cunningham was able to get past Daniels for the finish to tie the game up at 130-130 but on the previous possession where the Australian was matched up against him, it was the ‘Great Barrier Thief’ who came out on top.
On that occasion, Daniels played excellent one-on-one defence before getting the steal and pushing the ball up the court to Young, who drew the foul.
“He’s got a knack in certain situations late to make defensive plays and they usually turn into baskets on the other end, if it’s a steal,” Snyder said post-game.
Daniels had four steals on the day to go with four blocks and five defensive rebounds, but equally impressive was his work on the offensive end — and in particular his assertiveness in driving to the basket.
Snyder told reporters after the game that had been a focus for Daniels after a conversation with the Hawks coaching staff.
“One of the things we’ve talked to him about is just his aggressiveness attacking the basket and that’s another thing that I think, as the season’s progressed, he’s been more aggressive,” Snyder said.
“Whatever it is he’s doing in there — if he’s passing or finishing or shooting a floater or layup — just the fact he’s getting in the paint is big for us.”
Daniels finished the day with 19 points, going 6-for-10 from the floor while also making six free throws and adding a 3-pointer too. He also had seven assists.
Daniels has been playing more on-ball reps with Jalen Johnson (shoulder) sidelined and given Atlanta’s breakout forward is out for the season, it may just be the start of even more growth in his all-round game.
MVP CHANTS FOR BRUNSON AS KNICKS RALLY AGAINST ROCKETS
Jalen Brunson scored 42 points as the New York Knicks unleashed a late barrage to overwhelm the Houston Rockets 124-118 in the NBA.
The Knicks — humbled at home by the Los Angeles Lakers — had looked to be sliding to another defeat at Madison Square Garden as Houston powered into an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
But Houston’s double-digit lead was the cue for a New York scoring spree that saw the Knicks erupt for an astonishing 46-point fourth quarter that turned the contest on its head.
Brunson led the charge with 17 points in the fourth, putting the seal on the comeback with two late free throws to wrap up a win that leaves New York third in the Eastern Conference standings.
Brunson received offensive support from Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, who both chipped in with 22 points apiece while Josh Hart also made double figures with 19 points.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau saluted his team’s ability to dig themselves out of a hole and grab victory against the third-ranked team in the Western Conference.
“You have to win games different ways,” Thibodeau said.
“We got in a hole but we found a way to win — I loved the way we responded in the fourth quarter. Whatever it was going to take, we were going to do.”
Fallout continues from NBA shock trade | 03:06
SUNS SUPERSTAR MAKES HISTORY, THUNDER CRUISE PAST UNDERMANNED BUCKS
In other games around the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder took full advantage of an under-strength Milwaukee Bucks line-up to extend their lead at the top of the Western Conference with a thumping 125-96 victory.
The Bucks, missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis, were buried by an avalanche of scoring from the Thunder, who led by as much as 44 points at one stage in the third quarter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the rout with 34 points from just 22min 24sec on court, with Ousmane Dieng scoring 21 from the bench.
Oklahoma City improved to 39-9 with the victory and lead the West from the second-placed Memphis Grizzlies, who moved to 34-16 with a 128-109 defeat of the San Antonio Spurs.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies scoring with 31 points while GG Jackson finished with 27 from the bench, including four three-pointers. Ja Morant added 25 from 9-of-18 shooting.
French star Victor Wembanyama topped San Antonio’s scorers with 27 points.
Elsewhere, in Phoenix’s game against Portland, Suns superstar Devin Booker made history as the team’s all-time leading scorer.
Booker brought up 15,668 points and counting with a corner 3-pointer which put Phoenix ahead 65-58 in the third quarter.
However they went on to lose in overtime.
NBA SCORES — FEBRUARY 4
Pistons 130 Hawks 132
Hornets 114 Wizards 124
Knicks 124 Rockets 118
Timberwolves 114 Kings 116
Thunder 125 Bucks 96
Grizzlies 128 Spurs 109
Trail Blazers 121 Suns 119 (OT)
Warriors 104 Magic 99
Jazz 111 Pacers 112
Nuggets 125 Pelicans 113
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