Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks: 3 key adjustments after blowout Game 2 loss

By Joshua Buckhalter

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks is pressured by Brook Lopez #11 and Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks is pressured by Brook Lopez #11 and Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Hawks adjustment after blowout Game 2 loss No. 2: Fresh legs could be part of the answer

We got our first postseason glimpse of Reddish and he, along with rookie big Onyeka Okongwu should start to play more. It was just his first game back so 17 minutes is probably close to the cap for Reddish coming off of an Achilles injury. We’ve already seen several major injuries as the result of players trying to return too soon so practicing caution here is probably wise.

Even in that capacity, he can help the Hawks. He gave you some of everything in his first action, shooting 40 percent from the floor with two rebounds and a steal.

It feels like we’ve been asking for Okongwu to get more playing time for a while now, But, even in such a lopsided loss, the rookie played just 13 minutes. Five of those minutes came in the fourth quarter. That’s surprising considering the troubles Giannis was giving Capela early on.

Nate McMillan can’t hesitate to give Okongwu some early time if that happens again. The rookie has fresher legs to keep up with Antetokounmpo if nothing else.

During the 76ers series, it was noted how both teams were utilizing more of their benches than most teams in the playoffs. Through two games the Hawks coach has gone with a more traditional approach. Game 2 was obviously skewed but the bench only played 12 minutes in Game 1.

Milwaukee has also used Bobby Portis off their bench this round after he missed the final three games of their last series. He’s had 19 points over the first two games and has gotten the crowd into it.

The Bucks ace has been their bigs’ ability to shoot the three-ball. On Friday Lopez went 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and spread the Hawks out for Antetokounmpo.

Home/Hawks News