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Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. Timberwolves

By Clayton Crowe

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Tonight, the Atlanta Hawks will look to avenge a loss from two weeks ago to the Minnesota Timberwolves that snapped the team’s seven game winning streak.

This loss started Atlanta’s mini-slump, that saw the team drop four of their next seven contests.  Atlanta will travel to Minnesota on Wednesday evening, for the second night of a back to back, where they will attempt to keep the  winning momentum  gained from taking down the Boston Celtics 121-97 on Tuesday.

After dropping Saturday night’s contest with the Cavaliers, a game in which the Hawks were never really competitve, the team got back to their winning ways last night as they made short work of a decent Celtics team.  Paul Millsap was up to his normal tricks, pouring in 25 points to go along with 9 rebounds, as Atlanta returned to a more balanced attack overall, with seven players scoring in double figures.

Every Hawk that was available to play saw time in Tuesday night’s contest.  Only two Atlanta players (Holiday & Tavares) failed to register a point.  There was even a Tim Hardaway Jr. sighting, as the third year guard from Michigan played his first 12 minutes of the season, dishing out an assist and hitting a three pointer.  It was just what the Dr. ordered for THJ, as well as the Hawks who were starting a stretch of four games in five nights.  Atlanta’s luxury of resting their starters late in Tuesday’s contest will pay dividends in Wednesday night’s outing.

The Timberwolves have been on a similar downward slide since the last time these two teams met.  Since beating the Hawks on November 9th, the Wolves have lost six of eight.  If it weren’t for a win against the hapless 76ers on Monday night, things could be looking a lot worse for this bunch.  But that is to be expected from such a young unit.  Inconsistency and the grind of an NBA schedule are difficult things to deal with during your first couple of seasons in the league.

Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns are looking like they could be one of the better one-two punches in the league in a couple of years.  They are both having monster seasons, with Towns looking like the ROY thus far.  Throw in  Zach Lavine, Shabazz Muhammad and Ricky Rubio and this team has the makings of what could be a contender in the upcoming season, with a little free-agency help.

As young and inconsistent as the Wolves are, the Hawks can’t take this team lightly, as Hawks Nation has already witnessed first hand what they can do.  Wiggins and company were able to drop a cool 72 on the Hawks in the first half alone earlier this month. And if it weren’t for a near miraculous 3rd quarter comeback, the Hawks’ first meeting with Minnesota was headed towards one of the worst losses during Coach Bud’s tenure.  Atlanta knows they have their hands full tonight in Minnesota.

More from Hawks News

Keys to the Game:

Keep Towns Off The Glass: I feel like a broken record with the rebounding theme, however it is the one thing that sticks out when

Nov 24, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha (25) celebrates a basket in the third quarter of their game against the Boston Celtics at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 121-97. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

watching this team.  If the Hawks are active on the glass, boxing out and not giving up offensive rebounds, then they are an entirely different team.  They outrebounded the Celtics last night and won handily.  On the 9th against these Wolves, they were outrebounded by 13.  There is a trend here and it doesn’t take a great basketball mind to see it.  Towns is one of the better rebounders in this league and already has eight double-doubles on the young season.  He and KG, yes even an aging KG, are a lot to handle on the glass.  If the Hawks control the glass then they will control this game.

Make Wiggins Work on Defense: Wiggins was spectacular in the last meeting, and has since parlayed that into one of the better scoring stretches of his young career.  He was averaging 17.2 points per game coming into that contest, and has increased his average to 22.3 points in the eight games since.  Wiggins will have to guard Korver quite a bit tonight, so when the Hawks have that matchup, Korver needs to run Wiggins ragged.  The Hawks should set screens and make Wiggins fight through them on every single possession.  Tire him out on the defensive side of the ball so that when he gets a chance on offense, he won’t be as explosive as he’ll have tired legs.  You aren’t going to shut down a guy like Wiggins completely, but you can do your best to contain him and by making him work hard on both ends of the floor. His offensive game will struggle as he’s still young and learning how to be a complete player.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Atlanta Hawks

  • PG: Jeff Teague
  • SG: Kyle Korver
  • SF: Justin Holiday
  • PF: Paul Millsap
  • C: Al Horford

Notes: Both Tiago Splitter (hip) and Kent Bazemore (ankle) were held out of Tuesday’s game with the Celtics.  They are both day-to-day, and may not see time tonight against Minnesota.

Minnesota Timberwolves

  • PG: Ricky Rubio
  • SG: Kevin Martin
  • SF: Andrew Wiggins
  • PF: Kevin Garnett
  • C: Karl-Anthony Towns

Notes: Nemanja Bjelca (knee) has been held out of the T-Wolves last two games.  He is listed as questionable for tonight’s tilt with the Hawks.

Other News & Notes:

  • Korver Watch: Just 6 more three pointers and he will pass Peja Stojakovic for 10th place All-Time
  • Mike Scott played a season high 18 minutes and scored a season high 15 points on Tuesday
  • Tayshaun Prince is now coming off the bench for the Wolves after starting at SF to open the season
  • Tonight’s game will be broadcast on Fox Sports South (TV) and 92.9 The Game (Radio)

Next: Atlanta Hawks Team Report Card vs Boston

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