The two teams came out firing offensively, combining for 35 points halfway through the first period. After failing to to keep up with the Nets for a bit, the bench players went on a 9-0 run to cut it back to two. Brooklyn lead 36-29 going into the second quarter.
Like they did a few nights ago, the Hawks turned to a zone defense after a rough start defensively, and it once again worked for the most part. We’ll have to see if Lloyd Pierce turns to the zone as more of a foundational piece rather than a mid-game adjustment.