The Brooklyn Lesson: No More Close Games

Atlanta Hawks Grades: The Bench

Dennis Schröder, B+

12 Points| 6-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

Glad to see Dennis having his best game of the series. He played admirably during the times Teague sat. He only lost the ball twice and doubled up on the dimes. He made a couple of jump shots and got the ball in the basket at the rim, finally. It was a huge confidence boost. A clean slate in a new series is just what the doctor ordered.

Shelvin Mack, C

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

Mack received some extended minutes, mostly in the fourth, commanding the garbage time platoon. He was smart with his passing and analyzed the game to showcase his strengths. He couldn’t get the shots to fall but his hustle and heart, even in the final minute of the game, are exactly what you want to see out of your third-string PG.

Kent Bazemore, B-

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

The largest weight was lifted off the shoulders of this young man. Happy for him to see some shots finally go into the basket after a tremendously long drought (had been 1-26 from three before tickling the twine in the third). His defense also gets overlooked some, which was still pretty good tonight. Note his +18 for the game for his third quarter endeavors.

Mike Scott, C

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

Nothing of note on the offensive side but he crashed the boards with authority, picking up where Millsap left off. Solid play for 17 minutes, mainly in the fourth.

Pero Antic, D+

0 Points| 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |

Pero assumed the role of foul machine. He collected five personals in only 10 minutes of action. Some were frustrating love taps on Lopez that were called because of notoriety alone. He didn’t really hurt the team but then again he didn’t do much of anything.

Mike Muscala, B-

4 Points| 2-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK |

The Moose finally got loose! Of course a 23 point lead and foul trouble for Antic certainly helped but he made the most of those minutes. He confidently knocked down a long two and an emphatic put back slam. Those were the personal highlights.

**Elton Brand and John Jenkins got minimal minutes towards the end. Both had zero points.

Next: In The Huddle