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Atlanta Hawks: Grades From Thrilling 110-108 Win Over Thunder

By Andrew Snyder

Dec 19, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) spins around Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) spins around Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer argues a call by referee Michael Smith (38) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Philips Arena. The Hornets won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer argues a call by referee Michael Smith (38) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Philips Arena. The Hornets won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The Head Coach

Head Coach. Atlanta Hawks. MIKE BUDENHOLZER. A. Mike Budenholzer did what he needed do with a shorthanded lineup. He tied this thing together with silly string and duct tape. He decided that playing his starters heavy minutes was worth it to try and win an important road game against a quality opponent. He was right. As a team, Atlanta shot 54.7 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from deep. Despite a significant size disadvantage Atlanta didn’t allow OKC to bully them in the post to the point where the Thunder came away with the win. Bud seemed to let Westbrook get his, knowing that the Thunder didn’t have enough firepower to beat them with someone else. Then there’s the play that sealed the game for Atlanta. Budenholzer crafted a beautiful Schroder/Millsap pick and roll that led to Schroder feeding Korver coming off of a screen, which led to Korver finding Millsap for the game-winning jumper. It was magnificent.

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