Breaking Down the Atlanta Hawks’ Best Three-Man Lineups in March 2017
By Nile Goodwyn
The Atlanta Hawks had a disastrous March, going 6-10, including a 7-game losing streak without Paul Millsap in the lineup. What trios shined in the lackluster month?
1. Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha, Dennis Schroder
9 Games, 198 Minutes (22 MPG), 50.3 PPG, 50.3 FG%, 18.9 RPG, 11 APG, 5 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 109.2 Offensive Rating, 111.8 Defensive Rating, -2.8 Net Rating, 58.9 True Shooting%
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Not even a negative net rating could have taken the pole position away from this trio.
They led all other trios in points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, and steals, among others.
They only played nine games together due to injuries to Millsap and Sefelosha, and the Hawks felt their departures.
Without the trio playing together, the team went 2-5. With them, the team went 4-5.
Injuries may have derailed the Hawks’ March, but more minutes from this trio going into the playoffs may have the team in good spirits.
2. Ersan Ilyasova, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroder
16 Games, 224 Minutes (14 MPG), 34.5 PPG, 48.5 FG%, 14.1 RPG, 7 APG, 2.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 113.3 Offensive Rating, 99.3 Defensive Rating, 14 Net Rating, 54.2 True Shooting%
As the only trio that played all 16 games in March, one could have expected the Hawks to win more games.
Their per-game numbers rank within the top ten for every major stat aside from turnovers. In per-36, their 88.7 points per game rank third (min. 100 minutes played). Their offensive and defensive rating would have placed second and first in the league, respectively. This trio’s stats make the Hawks of March seem as if they went undefeated. A 6-10 record with a 7-game losing streak says differently.
3.Ersan Ilyasova, Taurean Prince, Dennis Schroder
15 Games, 124 Minutes (8.3 MPG), 18.9 PPG, 43.6 FG%, 9.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 107.4 Offensive Rating, 93.2 Defensive Rating, 141 Net Rating, 52.5 True Shooting%
The Hawks two newest weapons played well when alongside Schroder. The group played under 10 minutes per game but had some of the best ratings of any the team had to offer. They led the team in no notable stats, yet were still impressive. They were one of the three lineups to play in all six of the Hawks’ wins and had the best offensive and defensive ratings of the three. For all intents and purposes, this may have been one of the best, most surprising trios of the season.
Conclusion
The Hawks played a lackluster month in March. Losses to the Nets, Trail Blazers, Hornets, and Bucks are worrisome for a playoff contender. As referred to earlier, there were a number of shining stars. Taurean Prince made his second appearance in an outstanding trio. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dennis Schroder, and Paul Millsap are the only two players to make the list all three times. As predicted, Ersan Ilyasova made his first appearance.
Next: What A Difference A Year Makes
The Hawks have the ability to end the regular season with a top five seed in the Eastern Conference if offensive woes end. On the contrary, an eight seed finish is nearly just as possible if the offense does not improve.