Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan hails 'successful' visit to UAE for NBA Abu Dhabi Games

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan said his team's visit to the UAE for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games proved highly "successful", both on and off the basketball court.

Atlanta swept the Milwaukee Bucks in the pre-season double-header at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena, following their 123-113 victory in Game 1 with a 118-109 win on Saturday evening. It was the first time NBA games had been held in the Middle East and forms part of a long-term agreement signed in November with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

“It has been a great trip, a successful trip, not just winning games but we do feel we got better,” McMillan said after his side wrapped up the two-game series.

“We had an incredible time by experiencing all the different things in Abu Dhabi. We felt we got better as a unit. We thought the bonding that we had with the new guys in our roster was great.

“It was important we bond them on this road trip. The coaches and players got closer and that was something very important for us.”

Atlanta's star player Trae Young top-scored for the Hawks, sinking 31 points in the first half alone before he was rested for the remainder of the game. The Hawks point guard fired seven three-pointers and provided six assists in a spectacular first-half blitz that had the crowd chanting for more.

“Trae is a special talent and a great kid in this game. We’ll play him a little different in the years I have been with him," McMillan said.

“He’s playing off the ball a little more now than he has in the past. He wants to develop his game and add to his game. He’s been such a dynamic player with the basketball, [now] we want to add to his game. I think that’s going to put a lot of pressure on teams with him playing off the ball.”

Young,