Atlanta Hawks: Studs and duds from skid-snapping win over Bucks

Atlanta Hawks stud from skid-snapping win over MIL: The bench (mostly) came to play

One of the lesser-discussed aspects from the Hawks losing streak was the fall-off in production from the bench. They began the season eighth with 36.4 oints per game over the Hawks first seven games. That was a stretch that saw Atlanta go 4-3 to start the new campaign.

During the skid, as the team slid to six straight losses, the bench fell to 28th with just 26.7 points.

They had 30 points on Sunday including some garbage time. It’s not quite to their pre-skid days. But it is a big step in the right direction. Add to that Huerter’s starting instead of coming off of the bench and it becomes a leap.

Most importantly, they held the Bucks bench to just 15 points on 29.4 percent shooting. That last part was big on a night when they shot just 34.5 percent from the floor themselves.

With Hunter out, Huerter will be in the starting lineup for the time being.

The Hawks will need more efforts such as this from the likes of Gallinari and Williams who shot a combined 8-of-17 overall and 3-of-7 from downtown.

They will also need a better effort from Cam Reddish offensively after his personal slump continued with just four points, all via free throws. He was 0-for-7 from the field. Aside from a 16-points showing against the Utah Jazz a couple of games ago, Reddish is shooting just 25 percent.

Perhaps in some way, the loss of Hunter clears up the logjam at forward. Reddish will certainly be needed now more than ever.