Los Angeles (AFP)

Atlanta and its unstoppable young star Trae Young, author of 35 points, struck a big entry blow in the semifinals of Eastern Conference, by winning the first game of their series (128-124) in Philadelphia, which was woke up too late, Sunday in the NBA play-offs.

We did not necessarily expect the Hawks, a talented team, but without real experience of spring games, so much in the party against the Sixers of Joel Embiid, who ended up with the best record of the regular season.

But their uninhibited approach to this series, of which they are not favorites, makes them formidable underdogs, which is moreover carried by this funny phenomenon that is Young.

Some might find his attitude sometimes insolent, when he freezes for a few seconds, arm outstretched, wrist lowered, to contemplate his work, after a banderilla ten meters like the one he succeeded in the first period, even annoying with his mania for 'going to get faults that are not very obvious in contact, in penetration.

But his talent is undeniable and for the moment impervious to pressure.

The one applied by the Sixers will also be a big point to improve for the future, because as he had put up with it against New York in the previous round, the leader, who also delivered 10 assists, wandered a little too much. at his convenience on the floors of the Wells Fargo Center.

- Reassuring Embiid -

And as he regularly attracted two or even three defenders to him, this left room for his teammates to put the baskets they needed, especially behind the arc (20/47).

John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 21 points each, Kevin Huerter scored 15 off the bench.

So much so that the Hawks put a big shine on the 76ers in the first quarter (42-27), thanks to an impressive 16/22 shooting skills, before counting up to 26 units in advance ( 53-27) four minutes later.

In the second half, Philly came back with other intentions and recovered his delay during a 4th quarter (41-29) of great intensity, approaching only two lengths ten seconds from the buzzer, after an interception of Danny Green for the dunk of Ben Simmons (17 pts, 10 assists).

This too late comeback was initiated by Joel Embiid, author of a big performance (39 pts, 9 rebounds).

But if there is a positive note to be taken from this setback, it is the reassuring state of form of the Cameroonian pivot, which has not played with the handbrake, despite the small tear in the right meniscus that had him misses the last game of the 1st round against Washington last week.

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The second round will take place on Tuesday, with an obligation for Philly to set the record straight.

In the meantime, the day continued Sunday with the N.7 game between the Clippers and Dallas in Los Angeles (3-3), which will designate the future opponent of Utah in the semi-final in the West.

© 2021 AFP