Pre-game Notes:
–Dennis Schröder is averaging 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals
–Al Horford is 1 of 5 players in the league, and 1 of 2 in the Eastern Conference (Nikola Vucevic), averaging at least 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
–Elton Brand needs 5 blocks for 1800 in his career. Jeff Teague needs 16 points for 4,000 in his career. Al Horford needs 33 points for 6,000 in his career. Paul Millsap needs 11 defensive rebounds for 3,000 in his career.
The Hawks come into the game (3-3) facing a (3-5) Utah Jazz team. The home team came out fairly slow, scoring points only after the Jazz did. The points were coming but the defense was lacking. As the 1st Quarter went on, the Hawks managed to force 3 turnovers and capitalize off missed shots. Paul Millsap was fighting hard for points in the paint (6 points) and Kyle Korver continuously found himself open in 3 point land going 2/3 (9 points total).
The Hawks were down by 10 points when Pero Antic drained a 3-pointer to get the crowd into the game and to swing momentum.
Pero and the gang continued playing catch-up through the 1st Half but it was a layup by Thabo Sefolosha that finally gave the Hawks the lead 53-52.
At halftime the score was 57-54 in favor of the Hawks. Jeff Teague led the team with 10 points and 4 assists. The Jazz’s scoring was more balanced as the entire roster except Dante Exum and Joe Ingles registered points.
Paul Millsap had an explosive 3rd Quarter trying to keep his team in the game. With 12 points and 3 rebounds, he anchored the Hawks offense and showed a lot of heart when his team needed him. Their offense was firing on all cylinders but their defense was lacking, making a tough hill for the Hawks to climb.
Defensively, the Hawks were struggling to find an answer for Utah’s Derrick Favors and Alec Burks. Eventually, luck fell in their favor after 4 consecutive missed shots, the Hawks capitalized and brought the game within 2 points (95-97).
After a Jazz timeout and a missed shot by Gordon Hayward, Kyle Korver nailed a 3-pointer to get the crowd off their feet and make the game 98-97 in favor of the Hawks. They were in the lead for only the second time this game.
With the lead and 25 seconds left, all the Hawks had to do was hold the ball. Jeff Teague held the ball until 0:10 seconds, drove to the bucket, and drew the foul. After making both foul shots the game was 100-97, that’s when the Jazz called timeout.
Once inbounded, Trey Burke shot a desperation 3-pointer that hit the backboard and bounced away to a defender. The final score was 100-97. The Hawks won even after holding the lead only twice the entire game.
“Thinking positively, looking at our defense in the fourth quarter, holding them to nine points gave us a chance to win a heck of a game,” said Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. “Not only do you have to play good defense initially, you have to finish it.”
As stated in the pre-game notes, Paul Millsap did indeed get 11 defensive rebounds to account for a career total of 3,000. Not only did he achieve 3,000 rebounds tonight, he had a 30 point game without any free throws.
With this win Atlanta is now (4-3) overall this season.
-Jon
Photo: X