Atlanta Hawks: Studs and duds from bounce-back win over Wizards
Atlanta Hawks stud from bounce-back win over Wizards: Danilo Gallinari is a much-need bench threat
Over the first six games of the season, the Hawks got nearly 45 percent of their bench points from Reddish on average. On Monday, they got a jolt from another player in Danilo Gallinari, playing in his fourth game of the season. The 14-year vet entered the day averaging just 6.3 points shooting 38.9 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
He had 12 points on 40 percent shooting and went 5-of-7 from downtown in the rematch with Washington.
In their first battle, Gallo had just six points so doubling up on that is good for him alone. But the Hawks need all the floor spacers they can get as the league’s new rules have allowed for more physical play.
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Having defenders scrambling out and back from shooters is a great way to get to the line.
That he brings his deep-range prowess off of the bench in even bigger in the event of Reddish’s inevitable off-night.
The Hawks were also without Kevin Huerter due to rest — something Nate McMillan said could happen with guys somewhat regularly this season — so it was even more imperative to get contributions from others.
They’ll still need Huerter to get right as he has just one game with double-digit points, is shooting just 28.6 percent from the floor, and 15.0 percent from long range. If they can get two of the three to perform as Gallinari and Reddish did on Monday on most nights, they will generally be in good shape.