The Atlanta Hawks have been a much better team of late, winning their last five games straight and having an 8-1 home record. This is the best home record of any team in the entire Eastern Conference. Unfortunately it is balanced out by a1-8 away record which is the worst in the Eastern Conference.
During the six-game losing streak the Hawks suffered prior to their success at home, many players were going though slumps, Kevin Huerter included. He almost came out of it with a 28 point performance in a loss against the Utah Jazz, but he followed that up with a two point performance in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Since the Hawks arrived home, Huerter is one of the players who has had to step up in the absence of De’Andre Hunter who is missing time with surgery to his right wrist. Huerter has been a starter all of the last five games and he has worked out his role within the unit for the benefir of the Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks need Kevin Huerter to move for the benefit of the team.
Huerter is playing to his strengths when he starts with the Hawks. He is a tremendous secondary or tertiary ball handler who can create for himself or others. However, it is his movement off the ball which is helping the Hawks the most.
Red Velvet has found himself wide open on so many occasions during the homestand due to the opposition teams trying to trap Trae Young as soon as he crosses the timeline. His game against the Boston Celtics was a masterclass in what to do when left open.
On top of that, Huerter has also worked out how and when to cut so that he can get the best possible shot. If Young or Bogdan Bogdanovic have the ball in their hands then they usually find Huerter in a position to score where he is under the least pressure. This leads to easy buckets which takes scoreboard pressure off and helps the Hawks get wins.