Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan hails ‘successful’ visit to UAE for NBA Abu Dhabi Games

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan said his team’s trip to the UAE for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games proved to be very “successful”, both on and off the basketball court.

After a 118-109 victory on Saturday night, Atlanta beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-113 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, following their 118-109 preseason victory. This was the first time an NBA game was held in the Middle East and became part of an NBA game. Long-term agreement signed in November With the Ministry of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

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“It was a great trip, a successful trip, not only did we win the game, but we did feel like we got better,” McMillan said after his team wrapped up a two-game series.

“We’ve had an incredible time in Abu Dhabi experiencing all the different things. We feel like we’ve gotten better as a whole. We think the connection we have with the new guys on the roster is really good .

“It’s important that we connect them on this road trip. The distance between coaches and players is getting closer and that’s very important for us.”

Atlanta’s star Trae Young led the Hawks in scoring with 31 points in the first half alone before resting for the remainder of the game. The Eagles point guard made seven 3-pointers and provided six assists in a spectacular first-half blitz that had the crowd chanting more.

“Trey is a special talent in this game and a great kid. We’re going to make him a little bit different in the years I’ve been with him,” McMillan said.

“He’s playing off the ball more now than he used to. He wants to develop his game and add to his game. He’s always been a dynamic player in basketball, [now] We want to add to his game. I think it puts a lot of pressure on the team because he plays off the ball. “

Young, who scored 22 points in Game 1, said he’s pleased with his progress and believes the Hawks are using the preseason to cohere a team.

“I don’t think I shot well the last game,” he said. “I knew I could have shot better, and I did it tonight, and that’s what the preseason is about.”

“We have a new team, so I’m here just learning from my new teammates and just trying to see where we are.”

Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer was very polite in the defeat and said he was taking the positives from the team’s time in Abu Dhabi.

“The preseason is very important, you’re looking at other things and the result may take a back seat, but that’s not to say we don’t fight for the win,” he said. “Thanks Atlanta, they played really well. I was really impressed with the way they shot Thursday night and tonight.”

Budenholzer rested star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and gave his bench a chance to play in the third and fourth quarters. Spectators at the Etihad Stadium wanted to see Giannis Antetokounmpo on the pitch, but the Greek striker wasn’t even in his shirt.

“That’s the hardest part of these pre-season games, coming to Abu Dhabi, everyone really wants to see, not just Giannis, see all these players,” Budenholzer said.

“Both teams have a lot of great players, but obviously Giannis Antetokounmpo was special. He played that night, and I thought he did a great job.

“He played a lot with the Greek national team this summer [at Euro Basket] and international competitions all over the world. It’s our job to be the bad guy sometimes and we have to try to keep him healthy and in good shape for a long, long season. “

The Atlanta Hawks have two more preseason games left, against the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans, before starting the regular season with the Houston Rockets on Oct. 20.

The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets in the final game of the preseason, and their regular-season trip to the Philadelphia 76ers will take place on Oct. 21.

Updated: October 9, 2022, 7:52 am