Atlanta Hawks: 3 keys to victory against the San Antonio Spurs
The Atlanta Hawks face a tricky start to their back-to-back homestand. The first game is against the surprisingly good San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are sitting in sixth place in the competitive Western Conference with a 14-11 record.
Their success is on the back of the stellar play of team leader DeMar DeRozan having a stellar year, leading a team of young guys such as Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Lonnie Walker who are showing their potential.
The Spurs tend to control games by playing solid basketball. They only turn the ball 11.1 times per game which is the best number in the NBA. On top of that, they only commit 17.0 fouls per game, which is again the best in the NBA. Good solid basketball and it is helping them win.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 1) Unleash Danilo Gallinari.
The Spurs have some weaknesses in their game. Teams are able to shoot the 3-ball against them at 38.9 percent which is good for 24th in the NBA. This is where Danilo Gallinari comes in. If he is on his game then he has the ability to shoot over anyone the Spurs put on him.
Without LaMarcus Aldridge, who is still out through injury, the Spurs do not have many options for guarding Gallinari on the perimeter. He also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and challenge the defense at the rim, often drawing fouls when other players can not.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 2) Attack Jakob Poeltl
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The Spurs are lacking in the big man department with only Jakob Poeltl and Drew Eubanks who offer any sort of rim protection. While Trae Young will be guarded by Murray, having the ability to get past him and score in the lane will make the defense will have to adjust.
Clint Capela and John Collins have both been creating space on the perimeter by the way they are playing close to the hoop. By getting Poeltl into foul trouble, or creating doubt in his mind defensively, the Hawks have a better chance of unlocking the game for Young offensively.
Atlanta Hawks key No. 3) Contain the second unit
While the Spurs have some quality starters, it is their bench unit who have proven to be difficult to stop. It is their veterans Patty Mills and Rudy Gay who have been able to apply pressure to their opponents’ second units.
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Mills has been his usual efficient self from 3-point land, making 40.1 percent of his 6.5 attempts from deep. Gay has continued to produce quality offense late in his career from both inside and outside the arc.