Atlanta Hawks: Mike Budenholzer Reveals Playoff Starting Five
The Atlanta Hawks have announced the starting lineup for their first round playoff series against the Washington Wizards
The Atlanta Hawks had a decision to make regarding their starting five for Sunday’s playoff opener against the Washington Wizards. Injuries and decisions to rest players in the final week of the season have led them to play several lineups over the last few weeks.
Dennis Schroder, Paul Millsap, and Dwight Howard were always going to be in the starting five. The uncertainty was regarding who was going to fill the other two spots. Mike Budenholzer has made a decision.
Bud confirms playoff starting lineup will be Schroder, Hardaway, Prince, Millsap and Howard.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) April 14, 2017
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Taurean Prince will continue to start. Kent Bazemore and Thabo Sefolosha will come off of the bench. It’s nice to have options. The play of Hardaway and Prince during the second half of the season gives the Hawks depth they didn’t have earlier in the season. Especially if Sefolosha is truly healthy.
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Hardaway’s inclusion in the starting lineup isn’t surprise. His shooting and overall scoring ability has become an integral part of Atlanta’s offense. In 30 games as a starter, Hardaway averaged 17.5 points per game on 44.3 percent shooting and 34.3 percent from deep.
Prince has started 10 games this season, all in April or March. Sefolosha’s groin injury gave him the opportunity to start. Prince has taken full advantage and showcased why the Hawks are excited about his long-term outlook.
In those 10 games, he averaged 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 41.1 percent shooting and 32.4 percent from outside. His aggressiveness on the both the offensive and defensive end gives the Hawks a jolt of energy they’ve lacked at times this season.
His size, strength, and quickness makes him an ideal candidate to attempt to shut down Otto Porter Jr. Sefolosha and Prince will likely share minutes on an equal level, but it’s exciting that Budenholzer isn’t afraid to start the rookie in a playoff series.
The emergence of Prince means that Atlanta’s wing rotation is very flexible. The Hawks should feel comfortable throwing out any combination of Hardaway, Bazemore, Prince, and Sefolosha during this series. Budenholzer has shown a tendency to ride the hot hand this season. I expect that will keep up in the playoffs.
Next: Atlanta Hawks Playoff Preview: First Round vs. Washington Wizards
The Hawks begin their postseason journey against the Wizards on Sunday, April 16th at 1:00 PM.