Atlanta, GA
Mann Makes Stop At The Buzzer, Hornets Steal Win In Atlanta
Going into Wednesday night’s road trip opener in Atlanta, it had been almost 12 years since a Charlotte Hornets’ player had snatched seven-or-more steals in a single game. Tre Mann blew right past his previous career high to reach this lucky number, with the final last-second swipe clinching a dramatic 115-114 comeback win over the hometown Hawks.
Trailing by 18 points with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Charlotte matched its largest come-from-behind road win of the season – January 22 in Minnesota – which was one point off its biggest overall. The squad also won the season series with Atlanta, 3-1, for the second straight campaign, dealing a blow to the latter’s Play-In hosting chances.
Though the Hornets got off to a significantly better start than they did in Tuesday’s home finale, the defense still had issues containing Atlanta’s early drives and kick-out 3-point attempts. The Hawks shot 11-of-24 (45.8%) from downtown in the opening half, good for a 61-55 lead at the break. After starting the third with a 12-3 run, Atlanta took the frame by nine to go up by 15.
Charlotte still had plenty left in the tank though, especially facing an Atlanta team that was coming off a double overtime loss the night before. Using runs of 17-5 and 12-2, the Hornets clawed back in front, 111-108 by the 2:07 mark of the fourth. Following a 6-0 spurt from Trent Forrest and two Brandon Miller free throws, Grant Williams perfectly contested Bruno Fernando’s layup attempt, leading to a go-ahead transition runner from Miles Bridges. With less than four seconds left, Forrest received the inbounds, then proceeded to see his would-be mid-range game-winner get stuffed by Mann’s extended right arm just before the final horn went off.
“Tonight was [Tre Mann’s] best game on defense,” said Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford afterwards. “Brandon was great under pressure. We just kept going, possession by possession. We’ve actually been pretty good at that over the year. They did a good job, kept their poise, came back, and made a bunch of plays late.”
Added Miller, “Just being locked in on the defensive side, I think that’s why we won tonight. I think that last [offensive] play of the game, Miles got the fast break, and I knew he was going to score. Going through games with a team like this, I feel like the bonds get stronger every day.”
Miller finished with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting and five 3-pointers, becoming the third rookie in NBA history with at least seven games of 25 points and five 3-pointers (Steph Curry – 9; Allen Iverson – 8). Bridges (18), Williams (16), Mann (16), and Aleksej Pokuševski (10) also scored in double figures. Mann, who additionally tallied seven assists, tied Anthony Davis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Herb Jones for the NBA’s single-game season high for steals.
Atlanta suffered a fourth consecutive loss with the defeat, though did have Trae Young available – 14 points on 5-of-5 shooting and 11 assists in 21 minutes – for the first time since Feb. 23. Bogdan Bogdanović and Vít Krejčí each scored 19 points – Krejčí’s being a career high – while Clint Capela added 15 points and six rebounds. Like Charlotte, the Hawks were missing several key players, including Dejounte Murray, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and Saddiq Bey.
The Hornets will now head north to square off against the Boston Celtics on Friday, April 12 beginning at 7:30 PM ET. Follow all the action on Bally Sports Southeast and WFNZ 92.7 FM.
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.
Ozzie Albies hit an RBI double and Austin Riley also drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five in a row and nine of 11. It was Atlanta’s first series sweep of at least three games at Philadelphia in 10 years.
Kyle Schwarber went deep for the Phillies, who have lost five straight and 10 of 13. They were outscored 56-33 on a 2-7 homestand against the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Braves, leaving Philadelphia 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division standings.
Raisel Iglesias escaped trouble in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out, but Trea Turner struck out and Schwarber lined out to right field on an excellent running catch by Ronald Acuña Jr.
Tyler Kinley (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.
Schwarber’s two-run shot in the first gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.
Harris homered leading off the third before the Braves went ahead in the fifth with three runs against rookie starter Andrew Painter (1-1) and lefty reliever Tim Mayza.
Painter was lifted after he opened the inning by allowing singles to Harris and Acuña. Mayza loaded the bases with a walk, and the Braves tied the game on Matt Olson’s groundout. Riley’s dribbler to third went for an RBI infield single, and Albies’ double to the left-field wall made it 4-2.
Riley saved at least one run while ending a Philadelphia threat in the bottom of the fifth with a stellar defensive play at third base.
Braves starter Grant Holmes allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings.
On a chilly night, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out after leaving Saturday’s game with lower back tightness.
Up next
Braves: Begin a four-game series Monday night at Washington. RHP Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77 ERA) opposes Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16).
Phillies: Open seven-game trip Monday night with the first of four games against the Cubs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-4, 4.03 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63).
Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Knicks -5.5; over/under is 216.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Knicks lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference first round with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Knicks won the last matchup 113-102 on Saturday, led by 28 points from Jalen Brunson. CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 26.
The Knicks are 35-17 in Eastern Conference games. New York has a 9-4 record in one-possession games.
The Hawks are 27-25 in Eastern Conference play. Atlanta is third in the league scoring 18.1 fast break points per game. McCollum leads the Hawks averaging 5.0.
The Knicks are shooting 47.8% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Hawks allow to opponents. The Hawks are shooting 47.4% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 46.0% the Knicks’ opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 19.9 points over the last 10 games.
Dyson Daniels is scoring 11.9 points per game and averaging 6.8 rebounds for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 21.3 points and 2.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 6-4, averaging 110.4 points, 40.7 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.9 points per game.
Hawks: 5-5, averaging 117.2 points, 43.5 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 8.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.0 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: Tyler Kolek: day to day (oblique), Mitchell Robinson: day to day (ankle), Karl-Anthony Towns: day to day (elbow).
Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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