CJ McCollum anchored Atlanta Hawks’ fourth quarter fight back to score a 107-106 victory over New York Knicks in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference first round series on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) in New York City.
Down by 12 points after three quarters, the Hawks launched a massive fourth quarter run behind McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Johnson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to seize a 103-100 lead.
The Knicks were able to tie the score at 103-all on a three-pointer by Jalen Brunson, but the Hawks regained the lead at 107-103 on back-to-back inside conversions from McCollum and Johnson.
Brunson pulled the Knicks to within 106-107 with a three-pointer and still had a chance to snatch the win after McCollum missed two free throws but Mikal Bridges missed on a basket attempt at the buzzer.
McCollum top-scored for the Hawks with 32 points, Kuminga added 19 markers, while Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu tallied 17 and 15, respectively, as they tied the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Brunson led the Knicks with 29 points, Karl-Anthony Towns added 18 markers, while Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Bridges contributed 15, 14, 13, and 10, respectively.
In another East Series, Donovan Mitchell tallied 30 points, seven assists, and five rebounds to guide Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-105 Game 2 win over Toronto Raptors and took a 2-0 edge in their series.
James Harden also made his presence felt with 28 points, five rebounds, five steals, and four assists, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen had 25 and 10 points, respectively, for the Cavs.
Scottie Barnes paced the Raptors with 26 points, RJ Barrett added 22 markers, while Collin Murray-Boyles, Jakobe Walter, and Sandro Mamukelashvili tallied 17, 14, and 12 points, respectively.
In the West, Minnesota Timberwolves evened their series against Denver Nuggets after a 119–114 Game 2 win. Anthony Edwards recorded a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves./PN
