Game 3: Atlanta Hawks Grades In Heartbreaking Defeat
Atlanta Hawks Grades: The Bench
Dennis Schröder, A
18 Points| 6-12 FG | 5-5 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK |
The captain of the second unit surge, Schröder spearheaded the attack showing a lot of confidence. He made a few outside shots but had his way driving into the lane, looking like a blur on the television. He scored 16 points in the fourth alone, including seven straight. He went unblemished in the turnover department as well.
Shelvin Mack, B-
2 Points| 1-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK |
Not much court time but he was out during the Hawks’ most productive stretch and made a key defensive play. The effortless steal on Beal for an easy layup cut the deficit to just three while hands were on head and jaws were dropping in the stands.
Kent Bazemore, B-
7 Points| 3-4 FG | 1-4 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |
Boundless energy matched his shooting efficiency, connecting on some good finds inside and runners. Problem was his inconsistent foul shooting that could have made a difference in the outcome. His outstretched hand was just inches away from sending the game into overtime.
Mike Muscala, B+
7 Points| 3-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK |
If not for the final play of the game, Moose’s penultimate bomb would have been the shot of the night, hence the extra plus next to the grade. In such a foreign situation, Muscala calmly knocked down the trey even with the play blown when Dennis almost lost his dribble.
Paul Millsap, C-
8 Points| 2-6 FG | 3-5 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK |
Physically drained are the right words to describe Paul Millsap’s night. He didn’t even start, feeling under the weather, and the ailment proved too much to overcome. Evidenced by being outhustled for a rebound that led to an Otto Porter layup and outmuscled by Nene for a three-point play, Millsap didn’t look like he had it.
Mike Scott, B+
8 Points| 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK |
Along with Dennis, his shot making sparked the 17-0 fourth quarter run. Two crucial top of the key threes and some big rebounding went a long way towards the Hawks having any sliver of a hope to come back so kudos to him.
Next: In The Huddle