Hawks' hidden schedule opportunity could be enough to save the season

The Hawks are back.

Having lost three consecutive games heading into the All-Star break, they needed to flip the script on the season in the worst way once play resumed. Thursday night's road victory over the 76ers was a good start, and they have a very real chance to turn that momentum into a timely winning streak.

The complaints from Hawks fans about the schedule this season have been warranted, without a doubt. Nearly three-quarters through the season, Atlanta's been cursed with one of the league's toughest schedules, in terms of both opponent record and travel implications.

Getting it out of the way early, however, looks like it's going to pay off in an invaluable way. As Atlanta's roster begins to fully gel, they'll have a level of help that could differentiate them from the rest of the league. In the final 26 games of the season, the Hawks have the fourth-easiest schedule in the NBA.

A bit different from what Hawks fans have grown used to, huh? Before February rolled in, Atlanta couldn't buy a break. Head Coach Quin Snyder repeatedly expressed his frustration with the amount of travel they were facing, and over this next important stretch, that won't be a problem.

The Hawks will play 10 of their next 11 games at home. While State Farm Arena hasn't necessarily provided the most reliable home-court advantage all year, this gives a team searching for continuity plenty of time to truly build something special.

This home stretch could be what pushes the Hawks into playoff contention

A 10-15 record at home doesn't allude to a winning streak being imminent, but a deeper look at the opponents they'll face opens up a new world of optimism Hawks fans haven't felt in quite some time. If there was ever a moment for them to give it their all, now would be perfect.

Atlanta's next ten home games are as follows: Heat, Nets, Wizards (2x), Trail Blazers, 76ers, Mavericks, Nets (again), Bucks and the Orlando Magic. The NBA couldn't have blessed the Hawks with an easier late-season stretch, but it's up to them to not take their foot off the gas.

History shows that the Hawks tend to play down to their competition. This simply cannot be the case as they enter a new era. The Eastern Conference is as wide open as ever, and a playoff push in the back-half of the season could give fans all the hope they need to believe the franchise is in good hands.