Hawks trend No. 1: Rest Vs Rust
One of the prevailing themes during the dark times this season was that we just had to wait for the Hawks to be at “full strength.” A record-setting roster count at the height of COVID absences and injuries lent credence to that notion. There was even a graphic that was going around regarding the time between their having a clean injury report.
Their current injury report has John Collins dealing with a heel injury and had Bogdan Bogdanovic questionable entering the win over the Orlando Magic.
But the Hawks have tested the theories on ‘rest versus rust’ this season.
We talked about their record on the second leg of a back-to-back ahead of the tilt with the Magic. That record now stands at 4-7 following their 130-109 triumph. But the Hawks haven’t been much better on the other end of the spectrum either.
They are currently just 5-7 when playing on more than one day’s rest going 3-5 when they sit for two days.
"“… I feel like it’s all about, not to be corny or cliché, but about believing in ourselves and doubling down and understanding we can do this.” – John Collins via Sarah K. Spencer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution"
Part of our constant mention about this season being adaptable to chapter form is that each one has been the result of shifting momentum. When they are winning, the Hawks can often look borderline unbeatable. But when they are losing, nothing works and they have looked completely out of sorts.
Their record with multiple days off plays into that. Especially when considering their record with one day in between games is 19-16. That’s still not great for a team that has championship aspirations. But it has been better than any other situation so far.
Keep an eye on them coming out of the break.
They are 2-2 when idle for three or more days and will have sat for eight days by the time play resumes on Feb 24 against the Chicago Bulls. Chicago has beaten the Hawks twice already this season and just added Tristan Thompson to its frontcourt.
The Hawks will play 25 more games coming off of one day’s rest, five back-to-backs, and four games with two days’ rest. They will not get another three-day mini-bye through the end of the season. This is why their contest out of the break (which would be a three-day rest game) is so important for setting the tone the rest of the way.