The Brooklyn Lesson: No More Close Games

Atlanta Hawks Grades: The Starters

Jeff Teague, A

0 Points| 0-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 13 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK |

One of the best games Teague played and he scored his jersey number. He controlled every facet of the Hawks offense: penetrating, kicking, igniting the break, all of it. It actually felt like he dropped 20 due to his efficiency. It was the most assists in a playoff game without scoring in a decade and we loved every minute of it. Now up against Wall, he’ll definitely be licking his chops.

Kyle Korver, A+

20 Points| 6-10 FG | 2-2 FT | 8 REB | 4 AST | 3 STL | 1 BLK |

Early hot streak indicative of a very fruitful night for Korver. All of his makes were from three and the majority of those shots were wide open, an extreme lapse from the Nets defense that repeatedly went down on screens. Korver also went high on glass and had a team high in steals. His fire sure burns bright with 15 total threes over his last three games.

DeMarre Carroll, A

20 Points| 7-8 FG | 3-3 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

Ladies and gentleman, you’re series MVP. Even in the losses, his scoring kept Atlanta in the games at all times. On Friday night, he was one shot attempt from perfection but barely. Junkyard Dog has scored 20+ points in four straight playoff games. Not bad for your first career series win.

Paul Millsap, A+

25 Points| 9-15 FG | 5-8 FT | 9 REB | 6 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK |

Millsap had a quiet 25, if there is such a thing. He just kept going through his motions. Spin moves in the hole, three-point shooting, and getting to the line. The stat stuffer was just that, a potential triple double just on the horizon. Millsap even got his free throw mojo on as the game went on.

Al Horford, A

18 Points| 8-14 FG | 2-2 FT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK |

Horford ran so hard tonight, Lopez could not keep up. When a steal by Teague got corralled, Al sprinted like a track star and was rewarded for his efforts. The easiest play in the book involved his pick and pop game with Teague. In the fourth, he made three of the most beautiful 15 footers ever witnessed.

Next: The Bench Grades