Coming out the gate there was a shootout bound for the night’s game at Atlanta. Obtaining 12 lead changes just in the first quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo (8) and Damian Lillard (12) combined for 20 points while point guard Trae Young scored eight.

Going into the second quarter leading by four with a score of 37 to 33 the Bucks made the decision to start off the quarter with Lillard and Antetokounmpo on the bench. 

Capitalizing off of the Bucks top shooters on the sidelines the Hawks quickly scored 10 points gaining a seven point lead. 

Once Lillard and Antetokounmpo jump back into play the Bucks quickly knock down the lead but both teams continued to shoot from afar while contesting shots leaving the Bucks to trail until they tie the game with a Lillard steal and assist to Antetokounmpo which lead to both points and a free throw close to the third quarter. 

With a bad pass from Antetokounmpo Dyson Daniels is also able to catch a steal and Young is able to gander more points. While a last two point shot is made by Lillard 30 seconds before the half the game is tied at 66.

The three pointers still coming down both Brook Lopez of the Bucks and Mouhamed Gueye knocked down threes to open the third quarter. 

While the Bucks maintained a majority of the lead while in the third quarter, going two of ten from the three point line as well as missing contested shots led the Hawks to take a three point lead going into the last quarter with a score of 92 to 95.

Continuing the shootout between the two teams three lead changes occur within three minutes of the last quarter. While Lillard sits out from a looming eye injury from the first quarter, guard Kevin Porter Jr. scores 6 points straight and obtains 12 by mid quarter going six for seven in the field. 

Heading into the last stretch of the quarter after both teams obtained points from key fouls, a three from long by Kyle Kuzma put the Bucks up six. 

With some crucial misses from both teams Mouhamed Gueye is led to the free throw line where he misses both and a battle over possession is questioned where the Bucks challenge but loose as the Hawks retain possession with a quick two from Dyson Daniels.

With a dunk by Brook Lopez and a key layup from Lillard, the Bucks are able to maintain their lead while up by four.

With two misses by Georges Niang and Trae Young for a last effort to potentially tie the game Antetokounmpo is able to go to the line to make one to make the score 126 to 121. 

The Hawks also gaining a last second excess timeout turnover Lillard is able to make the last shot of the game with a technical free throw making the final score 127 to 121.

With still over a month left to play in the regular season, Milwaukee currently standing at the four seed and Atlanta at the ninth in the Eastern Conference, both teams are still fighting to make their marks in the postseason. 

A little more dire for the Hawks as they try to secure a spot in the play-in tournament Trae Young opened up about the missed shots he could’ve knocked down to secure a win. 

“The floater that could’ve tied it back at 1:23, there were a couple of shots that didn’t go in, I gotta be better.” 

The Hawks are set for another tough game against the Pacers while the Bucks are set to face the Mavericks.