After allowing the Timberwolves to come into Philips and end our seven game winning streak on Monday, the Atlanta Hawks got back to business on Wednesday night and started a new streak with a 106-98 win against the Pelicans. The Hawks swept the season series with the bunch from the Big Easy and now have their eyes set on the Boston Celtics, as the team travels up to Boston for what will be the first of four games this season against Brad Stevens’ squad.
The Celtics are coming off of a home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, a game that saw the team get second year guard Marcus Smart back from a toe injury. The team was glad to have him back but he showed some rust, as he was 1-6 from the field with four fouls in 21 minutes of action.
Isiah Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, had 14 points with Evan Turner chipping in with 20 in his best game of the season. Turner, after struggling mightily to start the season, has been on a small tear of late. After averaging under five points per game over the team’s first three contests, he has scored in double digits in four straight games.
Al Horford had a coming out party of sorts on Wednesday night against the Pelicans. The big man put on full display his ability to be effective from beyond the arc. Soaring Down South’s own Andrew Snyder did a piece yesterday on the evolution of Horford’s game which now includes being a threat from deep. The Hawks are now a threat 1-5 to step out and hit the three with consistency. That should make Jeff Teague and Dennis Shroder happy as the defense will be stretched, opening up driving lanes for two of the quicker guards in the league when attacking the basket.
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Speaking of Dennis Schroder, after letting it be known before the season started that he wanted a starting gig, he’s walking the walk through the season’s first 10 games. He’s averaging 12.2 points per game, a career high, but it is his level of efficiency that has caught my eye. He’s picking his spots better, he’s not as out of control and his shooting touch continues to improve from all three levels. His current clip of 46/36/90 is amazing considering where he was just a few short seasons ago.
Keys to the Game:
Keep Thomas & Smart Out of the Lane: It is no secret that the Celtics aren’t a very good three point shooting team. As a team the Celts are shooting 28.4% on the season, which is third worst in the NBA. Isiah Thomas (26%), Marcus Smart (25%) and Jae Crowder (26%) are all shooting the three-ball poorly early in the 15-16 campaign.
Nov 9, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) shoots a lay up against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Philips Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 117-107. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports(27%) are the biggest threats from beyond the arc with the injury to Avery Bradley and none of those guys scare you. Thomas and Smart are at their best when they get into the lane and cause havoc from close range. Smart has had issues with his shot since his college days, something that likely cost him a shot at the top overall pick and Thomas is more of a volume shooter that can be labeled as streaky from distance. The Hawks’ defense needs to key in on the Celtic guards and make them jump shooters tonight. Keep them out of the lane and force them to beat you from the outside, something that they aren’t comfortable doing.
Millsap, Millsap, Millsap: “Paul Millsap…that boy is a beast.” As much as I hate to quote Charles Barkley right now with the way he spoke about the Hawks on TNT a few weeks ago, those were the first words I heard any NBA analyst speak about Paul Millsap. A little known forward from Louisiana Tech receiving that kind of praise early in his career from one of the best PF’s to ever play the game. Nine years later and that statement has never been truer. With the early season success of Horford, Teague and the emergence of Bazemore, Millsap has almost become the forgotten Hawk but continues to put up spectacular numbers night in and night out. The Celtics have a plethora of forwards they can throw at Millsap but none of them can guard him. I expect the Hawks to go to Millsap early and often tonight against an undersized Celtic front line.
Atlanta Hawks
Projected Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Hawks
- PG: Jeff Teague
- SG: Kyle Korver
- SF: Kent Bazemore
- PF: Paul Millsap
- C: Al Horford
Notes: The Hawks should have their full complement of players as they had an off day yesterday, and will have another off day tomorrow before Sunday’s matchup with the Jazz.
Boston Celtics
- PG: Isiah Thomas
- SG: Evan Turner
- SF: Jae Crowder
- PF: Jared Sullinger
- C: Amir Johnson
Notes: Avery Bradley (leg) could be back for the Celtics tonight after missing Wednesday night’s game against the Pacers.
Other News & Notes:
- Paul Millsap leads the Hawks with five double doubles
- Tim Hardaway Jr. has not logged a minute so far this season
- Walter Tavares should see his first D-League action tonight as the Austin Spurs host the Texas Legends
- Tiago Splitter is currently shooting 92.3% from the free throw line
- Tonight’s game will be aired on Fox Sports South (TV) and on 92.9 The Game (Radio)
- Late Editorial Update: Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer will not be with the team tonight, as he has left Boston to head back to Atlanta for what the team is calling a “family emergency.
- Replacing Budenholzer as acting Head Coach for tonight’s contest vs the Celtics will be longtime Hawks Assistant Kenny Atkinson.
Next: The Al Horford Three Point Experience
Stay tuned to Soaring Down South for breaking news on the Mike Budenholzer development as it becomes available.