Atlanta Hawks: Hawks vs. Spurs Pre Game Report

Little Brother vs. Big Brother. That’s the underlying story for tonight’s game when your Atlanta Hawks travel The Alamo to take on the San Antonio Spurs for an 8:30 pm ET tip off.

Since the Hawks hiring of Mike Budenholzer, a former Spurs Assistant under Gregg Popovich, the consensus is that the team was going to model itself after one of the NBA’s Greatest Franchises over the last 20 years. Put stock in International players, emphasize ball movement and a true “team” concept where everyone is involved in the offense and no one player dominates from game to game. Mission accomplished. The Hawks have done all of those things and it has been a complete success. Not the success that the Spurs have enjoyed as the Hawks have yet to find their Tim Duncan, but success nonetheless as they are now true contenders coming off of their first ever Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

The Hawks are coming off of a somewhat statement win in Memphis on Thursday night as they took down the Grizzlies 116-101. The Hawks were down early but used a big second half run along with another monster game from Paul Millsap to seal the deal. It was only the second time all season that the Grizzlies allowed 116 points or more with the only other time being on the road at Golden State when they allowed the Warriors to drop 119 in a 50 point route early in November.

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The Grizzlies were without big man Zach Randolph for the contest which definitely played a role but the Hawks were without Thabo Sefolosha (rest) and Tiago Splitter (hip) so it all evens out. Hawks’ fans got a pleasant surprise before tip off when it was announced that Kent Bazemore would return from an ankle injury and start. Considering they were already without Thabo, Bazemore’s return was much needed on the wing. The fourth year forward from Old Dominion scored 14 points in his return. Paul Millsap lead all scorers with 23 and Mike Muscala chipped in with a season high 11 points and 6 boards filling in for Splitter. It was another all around solid game for the Hawks who again had 6 players score in double figures, including all 5 starters.

The Spurs own the second best record in the league behind only the aforementioned Golden State Warriors. They sit at 13-3 and in true Spurs’ fashion, are doing it very quietly. Kawhi Leonard is having an MVP type season but doesn’t get the love that LeBron and Westbrook do. He’s averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block and it seems like he is always overlooked when the talking heads refer to MVP candidates and the “best” players in the league. But that’s the way Kawhi likes it as well as the Spurs organization as they can continue to fly under the radar and be there in the end when everything shakes out.

The Spurs are going to be on the second night of a back to back as well as they were in Denver last night taking on the Nuggets, a game in which they won 91-80 without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. The Spurs were in control for most of the game and Coach Pop did his usual thing with making sure his starters were going to be rested for tonight’s game as only one, Leonard, played more than 30 minutes and everyone the active roster played at least 4 minutes. Leonard led all scorers with 25.

Atlanta Hawks /

Atlanta Hawks

This will be the first meeting between these two teams this season. The Hawks are looking for their first win against the Spurs since March of 2010 when they needed two OT periods in their last victory over “Big Brother”.

Keys to the Game:

Contain Kawhi: For as little credit as he gets, Kawhi Leonoard is a top 10 player in the NBA right now. A few might balk at that notion but it is true. You can’t find 10 better players in this league.

Nov 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) moves to the basket in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

I dare you to try. His emergence is the single factor in the Spurs Championship window staying open and now widening with the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge. He can do it all. He’s one of the best defenders in the league and can guard as many as four positions. His offensive game has now taken off and he’s almost unguardable as he can hit from almost anywhere on the floor along with the length and athleticism that allows him to get to the rim whenever he takes a notion. He’s a complete player in every sense of the word and as he goes, so do the Spurs. If Thabo and/or Bazemore miss this game with an injury then the Hawks will be in trouble. Both guys need to put the clamps down on Leonard and force Tony Parker and LaMarcus Aldridge to beat you. As crazy as that sounds given what those two players have accomplished, it is sort of a pick your poison with the Spurs and keeping Leonard contained is the way I would go.

Pound the Ball Inside: I don’t expect Tim Duncan to play in this game. But that is just a hunch. With Duncan out of the game, the Spurs aren’t the same team defensively, especially on the interior. Al Horford and Paul Millsap are both solid offensive players and if Duncan is out, expect a heavy dose of Millsap and Horford early on. If Millsap can get Aldridge into a little bit of foul trouble then that’s just gravy. No offense to Aldridge or any of the Spurs other bigs, but they just aren’t the defenders that Duncan is, even at his advanced age. If Duncan plays then I would expect Jeff Teague to be involved early in pick and rolls with Horford to try and get the switch off of Parker. Beat him at his own game. Either way, the Hawks will have a tough time in San Antonio without being a full strength but this game will be a measuring stick as to how far this team has come.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Atlanta Hawks

PG: Jeff Teague
SG: Kyle Korver
SF: Thabo Sefolosha
PF: Paul Millsap
C: Al Horford

Notes: Tiago Splitter (hip) is unlikely to play against his former team and I’d be surprised if Kent Bazemore (ankle) played on the second night of a back to back after missing four games.

San Antonio Spurs

PG: Tony Parker
SG: Danny Green
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Tim Duncan

Notes: Manu Ginobili (ribs) and Tim Duncan (personal) didn’t travel with the team on Friday to Denver and are listed as questionable to play on Saturday.

Other News & Notes:

Korver Watch: Kyle is now in 10th place all-time in three pointers made
Dennis Schroder has struggled since his 22 point performance against the Kings, averaging less than 6 points per game since
A win tonight and the Hawks could jump from 6th to 2nd in the East
Kawhi Leonard is 5th in the league in three point percentage at 46.8%
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on Fox Sports South (TV) and 92.9 The Game (Radio)

Next: Jeff Teague's Return Offers Hope

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