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NBA News: Hawks Clinch Final Eastern Conference Playoff Spot

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NBA News: Hawks Clinch Final Eastern Conference Playoff Spot


Final season, the Atlanta Hawks had excessive expectations heading into the 12 months. After a gradual begin, which led to the firing of head coach Lloyd Pierce, it appeared Atlanta was headed in the direction of one other down season.

However then issues circled. Finally, the Hawks clinched the Japanese Convention’s fifth seed within the playoffs and performed the function of the underdogs from there on out. 

After taking down the New York Knicks in 5 video games, the Hawks engaged in a collection with the East’s prime seed, the Philadelphia 76ers. Atlanta pulled off the upset whereas the Hawks and the Sixers wanted seven video games to settle the collection.

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The Hawks’ 2021 playoff run was already profitable once they defeated the Sixers. So, something past that was only a bonus. Whereas they put up a great struggle in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks within the Japanese Convention Finals, the Hawks fell brief to the eventual champions and felt good about their future.

The 2021-2022 season did not go as anticipated for Atlanta. In a harder Japanese Convention season, the Hawks had been on the verge of lacking the playoffs. The Hawks weren’t playoff-bound instantly as they wrapped up the 12 months with a 43-39 report. As an alternative, they needed to compete within the NBA’s Play-In Event. 

Earlier within the week, the Hawks confronted off in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets. After dominating the Hornets with ease, the Hawks nonetheless needed to win yet one more matchup earlier than they clinched a spot within the postseason.

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On Friday evening, the Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers went toe-to-toe. At first, it appeared Cleveland had the entire momentum within the matchup. As they fired off with 36 factors within the first quarter, the Cavs led by as a lot as 14 out of the gate.

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The Hawks battled again within the second quarter, however a comeback wasn’t of their playing cards fairly but. By halftime, the Hawks trailed 10 factors and wanted their beginning lineup to come back alive and convey the sport again inside arm’s attain.

Positive sufficient, Hawks All-Star Trae Younger did his job. Within the quarter, Younger collected 16 factors in 12 minutes. After rallying for 33 factors, Atlanta managed to not solely get the sport inside single digits, however they stole the lead a number of instances.

Going into the fourth quarter, the matchup was tied at 84. Younger, who has been in some difficult spots throughout do-or-die matchups earlier than, put his expertise to the take a look at. Luckily for the Hawks, he was profitable.

One other 16-point quarter from the younger star helped the Hawks outscore the Cavaliers 23-17. With that, the Hawks’ comeback was full as they defeated the Cavaliers and ended their season.

The Hawks develop into the eighth and closing Japanese Convention squad to notch a spot within the playoffs. They’re going to face the Miami Warmth for a seven-game collection starting on Sunday afternoon in South Seaside.

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Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports activities Illustrated. You’ll be able to comply with him for reside updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.





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Atlanta, GA

Falcons Regain NFC South Lead, Control Playoff Destiny as Bucs Lose to Cowboys

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Falcons Regain NFC South Lead, Control Playoff Destiny as Bucs Lose to Cowboys


ATLANTA — As if the Atlanta Falcons’ Sunday couldn’t get any better, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland gave Atlanta an early Christmas present.

But only after stealing one from Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White.

Leading 26-24 inside of two minutes to play, the Cowboys’ defense needed a stand Sunday night — and Bland stripped the ball from White’s grasp, forcing a game-sealing turnover.

Tampa Bay entered Sunday leading the NFC South by one game over Atlanta, but the Falcons (8-7) dominated the Giants (2-13), taking a 34-7 victory Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Coupled with the Buccaneers’ loss, Atlanta and Tampa Bay now share the same 8-7 record — but since the Falcons swept the season series, they own the tiebreaker. Thus, Atlanta leads the NFC South through 16 weeks.

The Falcons controlled the division for much of the early part of the season before losing control in Week 14, when they reached the end of their four-game losing streak while Tampa Bay had won three consecutive games.

Atlanta, which led the NFC South by two games in mid-November and held the division lead entering December, now merely has to win out to secure its first NFC South title since 2016 and its first playoff trip since 2017.

The Falcons close the season with a Sunday Night Football road game against the Washington Commanders (10-5) on Dec. 29 before hosting the Carolina Panthers (4-11) in the finale Jan. 5.

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Tampa Bay, meanwhile, hosts the Panthers and New Orleans Saints (5-9, pending Monday night game) to finish the campaign.

The Buccaneers have a 52% chance to win the NFC South compared to the Falcons’ 48% chance, according to The Athletic‘s playoff projections model.

But ultimately, the only number that matters to Atlanta is two — the Falcons’ magic number, as any combination of their own wins or Buccaneers losses that equates to two sends Atlanta to the postseason.

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Michael Penix Jr. shines in Atlanta Falcons’ debut victory over New York Giants | NFL on FOX Pod

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Michael Penix Jr. shines in Atlanta Falcons’ debut victory over New York Giants | NFL on FOX Pod


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Dave Helman sits down to recap the Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the New York Giants! Within the conversation, Helman reacts to Michael Penix Jr.’s debut and explains why he had an impressive performance for the Falcons!

1 HOUR AGO・the nfl on fox podcast・6:13



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Falcons Risers, Fallers: Buy Stock in Michael Penix Jr. After Win vs. Giants

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Falcons Risers, Fallers: Buy Stock in Michael Penix Jr. After Win vs. Giants


ATLANTA — After falling behind by a touchdown early in the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) scored 34 unanswered points to close out Sunday’s 34-7 victory over the New York Giants (2-13) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta has eclipsed seven wins for the first time since 2017, and it now enters the final two games of the regular season with a shot at the postseason — and with a jolt of energy from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Here’s who’s rising and falling after the Falcons’ victory …

QB Michael Penix Jr.

The consensus from Atlanta’s side postgame on Penix: He played well.

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Rookie quarterbacks can go either way in their debut. Penix was solid, completing 18-of-27 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and an interception that bounced out of tight end Kyle Pitts’ hands and into the arms of Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.

Consider Sunday a success for Penix, who provided no reason to stop dreaming.

OLB Matt Judon

Judon’s season overall hasn’t been what many expected when Atlanta sent a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for his services in August, but he’s turned a corner lately — and played his best game of the season Sunday.

The 32-year-old Judon collected one sack, two quarterback hits, a pass deflection and returned an interception 27 yards to the endzone for his first career touchdown.

Judon wore plenty of blame when he was struggling. He deserves similarly strong credit when he plays at the level he did Sunday.

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ILB Kaden Elliss

Elliss is the only player in the NFL with a sack in each of the last four consecutive weeks, according to the Falcons’ communication staff. He was excellent Sunday, logging a team-high seven tackles and two quarterback hits.

The 6’2″, 238-pound Elliss notched one sack — a forced fumble that was recovered by outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and gave Atlanta’s offense the ball in plus-territory.

Since inserting Elliss into the pass rushing plan more frequently, the Falcons’ pass rush — and defense as a whole — has made considerable strides.

TE Kyle Pitts

Pitts was targeted only twice — one went for seven yards, and the other led to Penix’s interception on a pass that hit his hands.

After a four-catch game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, Pitts failed to carry that production back home. He now has one or fewer receptions in four of the Falcons’ last five games and five of their last seven.

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Evidently, Pitts’ minimal production since the calendar flipped to November wasn’t solely due to quarterback Kirk Cousins.

There really isn’t much to complain about regarding Atlanta’s performance. Perhaps a slow start? A missed field goal from kicker Riley Patterson, who responded by making his other two field goals and all four extra points?

For the first time this season, there’s only one faller.

The Falcons return to action at 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, against the Washington Commanders inside Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.



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