Pre-game Notes:
– Atlanta is on a 14-game winning streak, tying the longest run in club history (last occurred December 14, 1993).
– Atlanta has held a double-digit lead at some point in each of the last 14 games (14-0).
– The Hawks are leading the NBA in fewest points allowed (96.1) and are one-of-two teams (Portland) to rank in the Top 10 in both scoring and fewest points allowed per game.
– Jeff Teague needs two 3FGM to tie Jamal Crawford (282) for eighth on the Hawks’ all-time list.
– Al Horford needs one double-double to tie Dikembe Mutombo (181) for ninth in franchise history.
The Hawks won a big game tonight in a not so typical way for them. Not only did they beat a solid team, from the West, but they looked like they were having fun. Tonight was a good display of good basketball, as the Hawks put a whooping on the Thunder 103-93.
Serge Ibaka, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook all had double figures and they still managed to lose by 10 points. If OKC didn’t have the 2 superstars they currently have, the game could’ve got out of hand numerous times in the 4th Quarter.
Paul Millsap and Al Horford both had double-doubles in tonights win. Their win tonight set a new franchise record of 15 straight wins. The Hawks have won 10 straight games against the West, extending their single-season franchise record.
The Hawks had a complete game. The Thunder had a 7 point lead in the 1st Quarter and they never led after that. Jeff Teague had a great game with 17 points and 9 assists. Kent Bazemore only had 5 points but turned out to be a difference maker with his on-court presence. He tore the roof off Philips Arena when he caught an alley-oop for a monster dunk.
Thabo Sefolosha 4 points and 4 rebounds against his former team. Kyle Korver was bigger on the boards than the 3-pt line tonight with 4 rebounds and only 5 points.
After the game we heard from Coach Budenholzer:
“I’m happy for our guys to have success. It’s a carry-over from the work on the court and work in the film room before practice and after practice. Our guys deserve to have an opportunity to do something. We just have to keep doing it. We have to keep working in practice. We have to keep doing all those things and keep our focus there. That’s how we’re going to get better. That’s how we’ll be at our best.”
The Hawks’ confidence has to be sky-high and they couldn’t have asked for better fan support at this time. “The confidence level has always been high” said Al Horford. “The more comfortable we get with each other, the better we’re starting to look out there. We’re a confident group.”
(On the fan support) “It’s been good. They keep coming out. They keep getting more engaged in our games. We need that home court advantage. That fuels us.”
The Hawks are now 36-8. Their next game is against the Timberwolves on Sunday.
-Jon J.
Photo: Yoh Phillips