Pregame Notes:
- Paul Millsap became the 9th player in NBA postseason history to post at least 16 pts, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks in a game.
- ATL has hit 10 or more 3FGs in three of the four games in the series against Brooklyn
- Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, and Kyle Korver all recorded double-doubles in Game 4 at Brooklyn.
- Kyle Korver is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy (NBA Sportsmanship Award)
- ATL had all five starters score in double-figures in the same game 20 times this season.
The Hawks found themselves in a very do or die situation tonight. The same night that Kyle Korver received the Joe Dumars award for sportsmanship, the ATLiens had to man up against Brooklyn. Coming off a depressing away loss, the Hawks had to make a statement tonight. They should be up 3-1 on the team they swept during the regular season, but they couldn’t finish when it counted. Similar to tonight, the Hawks were up by as many as 17 but they couldn’t close out the Nets.
Jarrett Jack continuously knocked down open looks in the 4th and Joe Johnson was coming through in the clutch. Of course the Hawks couldn’t start slipping in the 2nd quarter when there was time to catch up. They started to raise the blood pressure of their coach and a sold out Philips Arena when the Nets cam within 1 point with under 3 minutes left.
Kyle Korver was shooting 50% from the 3-pt line through the 3rd quarter. DeMarre Carroll was having a monster game with 20 pts., 2 steals, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds.
Al Horford came up big on the glass nabbing 12 boards and had 2 blocked shots.
For the Nets, Alan Anderson scored 23 hard fought points and shot 100% from downtown. The Hawks didn’t have an answer for Anderson’s outside shot and had a hard time keeping up with him and Jarrett Jack late in the 4th.
Jack finished the game with 18 pts. a long with teammate Joe Johnson, who was continuously booed by the home crowd every chance they had. DeMarre Carroll finished with a team-high 24 pts. The final score in tonights match was Atlanta 107, Brooklyn 97.
The Hawks were able to fend off the inevitable “Atlanta meltdown” tonight, but they’ll have to pull off this same feat once more on Friday in New York. If the Hawks don’t learn how to finish, and quickly, all of this season’s awards and acclaim may be all for naught.
-Jon J.
Photo: Anna Lira