Atlanta Hawks Blog – Page 37 – NBA Blog

With most starters out, Hawks beat Lakers

With most starters out, Hawks beat Lakers

The Atlanta Hawks are 52-14 this season, which is the best record in the Eastern conference and second best in the NBA behind the 52-13 Warriors. They believe a deep playoff run is possible. Which means they need to keep their squad healthy, and a good way to do that is to rest key players when their game schedule gets a little too crowded. Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting:

What difference does another starter make?

The Hawks were already resting three starters – Jeff Teague, DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap – when they lost Kyle Korver to a broken nose during Sunday’s game against the lowly Lakers.

It didn’t matter.

Al Horford, the lone remaining starter, had 21 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists as the Hawks defeated the Lakers 91-86 Sunday night at Staples Center. Horford played a normal 35 minutes as the Hawks controlled much of the game and a held off a Lakers’ fourth-quarter rally in a reserve-lead effort.

Dennis Schroder had a game- and career-high 24 points to go with 10 assists. His layup with 13.9 seconds left stopped a 16-2 Lakers run. He added two free throws in the closing seconds to ice the win.

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Kyle Korver shooting slump may be over

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who wasn’t quite so sharp for a while but seems to have regained the ability to do what he’s famous for:

It’s hard to argue with the benefits of an off day for Kyle Korver.

The Hawks guard was mired in a shooting slump for more than a month. His frustration was becoming evident as he couldn’t find his rhythm.

So when the team departed for a road game at Philadelphia last week, coach Mike Budenholzer told Korver to stay home. Get away from the game and clear your mind, he said. Korver missed the March 7 loss to the 76ers and didn’t touch a basketball during the brief time off. A weight lifting session and a chiropractic appointment were his only work-related activities.

There was plenty to get away from. Since Feb. 4, Korver was shooting 36.2 percent, including 34.6 percent from 3-point range.

However, in the three games since the hiatus, Korver is shooting 72 percent (18 of 25) from the field. That includes a stunning 73.7 percent (14 of 19) from long distance.

Mike Scott out with toe injury

Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott suffered a left toe injury against the Denver Nuggets on March 11 that was initially diagnosed as a strain. After further consultation and an MRI examination, taken yesterday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Phoenix, a fracture of his left great toe was revealed. He will see a foot specialist at Peachtree Orthopaedics in Atlanta on Monday to determine the appropriate course of action. A timeline for his return will be updated at a later date.

Pero Antic hopes to re-sign with Hawks

Pero Antic hopes to re-sign with Hawks

Here’s the Atlanta Journal Constitution reporting on a Hawks reserve who doesn’t play much but is enjoying being part of a successful squad and hopes to stick around in the future:

The Macedonian is in the final season of the two-year contract he signed with the Hawks in 2013. The center left Europe for a rookie season in the NBA at the age of 31. Now, he’d like to stay beyond that original deal…

The feeling is mutual. When Hawks management plans for next season, nearly every scenario includes Antic. The versatility of the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center has played a key role in the Hawks’ system under head coach Mike Budenholzer. The coach raves about Antic’s ability to stretch the floor from the center position. Yet, he’d rather talk about his defense, basketball IQ and leadership…

Antic signed a two-year, $2.45 million contract. The Hawks picked up his team option of $1.25 million this summer. Antic was selected to the Rising Stars Challenge, the rookie-sophomore exhibition, at last year’s All-Star Game. He finished his first NBA season appearing in 50 games and averaging 7.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.5 minutes. He shot .418 from the field, including .327 from 3-point range.

Hawks handle Cavs in key East battle

Hawks handle Cavs in key East battle

Here’s the Cleveland Plain Dealer reporting on the Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks, who appear to be the two best teams in the Eastern conference — especially if key Chicago Bulls keep suffering injuries:

The Atlanta Hawks treated the Cavaliers as if it were postseason time in Friday’s 106-97 home win. They showed their hand defensively, tormenting the visitors with a heavy dose of blitzes and traps in their pick-and-roll coverages.

If there was a time when LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were able to elude the defense and turn the corner, there were a flock of Hawks waiting near the painted area to deter them from finishing around the rim.

It led to contested shots and difficult cross-court passes. Either way, the percentages of securing a defensive stop were in the Hawks’ favor. James was limited to 13 field-goal attempts and he only converted on five. He coughed up the ball a game-high nine times.

Irving was better but not great, coming away with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting while committing five turnovers. Atlanta’s scheme was evident: Get the ball out of hands of the playmakers and make the others beat them.

Hawks sign Jarell Eddie to 10-day contract

Atlanta Hawks sign Jarell Eddie to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed rookie guard Jarell Eddie (first name is pronounced “jur-RELL”) to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

Eddie has appeared in 37 games this season with the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League, averaging 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 25.6 minutes (his .422 3FG% ranks ninth in the D-League). During the 2015 All-Star Weekend, Eddie won the D-League Three-Point Contest.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “the 6-foot-7 Eddie passed his physical with the Hawks and was officially signed Thursday. He practiced with the team and will be available for Friday’s game against the Cavaliers at Philips Arena. The 10-day contract will expire March 15. The Hawks can sign him to a second 10-day contract. After that, the team would have to sign him for the remainder of the season.”

Eddie participated in the Hawks’ 2014 training camp, and played in three preseason contests. He saw action in the 2014 Las Vegas NBA Summer League with the Washington Wizards.

He played four seasons at Virginia Tech, and as a senior in 2013-14, averaged 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 32.6 minutes.

Eddie will wear uniform no. 3.

Some bids to buy Atlanta Hawks are reportedly for around $900 million

Some bids to buy Atlanta Hawks are reportedly for around $900 million

Here’s Bloomberg reporting on the Atlanta Hawks, who are for sale:

Tampa Bay Rays part-owner Randy Frankel and ComPsych Corp. founder Richard Chaifetz are among the bidders for the National Basketball Association’s Atlanta Hawks, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Some of the bids were for about $900 million, the people said, declining to be specific.

The people requested anonymity because the bidding isn’t public. The team, which is on the market after lead owner Bruce Levenson disclosed a racially insensitive e-mail, retained Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Inner Circle Sports to run the sale.

Hawks end Bucks` home winning streak

Here’s the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting on Sunday NBA action:

Milwaukee’s seven-game home winning streak came to an end Sunday afternoon at the hands of the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks.

The Bucks dug out of a deep hole to tie the game in the third quarter but could not survive a fourth-quarter surge by the Hawks and dropped a 97-86 decision at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Kyle Korver found his shooting touch and Paul Millsap finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds as the Hawks (44-12) avoided a three-game skid.

All five Hawks starters were in double figures, including Al Horford with 15 points, Korver with 12 and DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Teague with 10 each.

Paul Millsap still plays with chip on shoulder

Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting on a two-time NBA All-Star who knows that he’s got to stay focused and keep that edge to build upon his success. Or, to put it another way, Millsap knows people still doubt his stardom and he wants to shut those fools up:

Paul Millsap is now a two-time NBA All-Star. Yet, he admits there is still a chip on his shoulder.

No amount of success, personal or team-related, is about to knock it off.

“Let’s be honest. There are a lot of doubters still out there,” Millsap said. “But within yourself, you have to find different ways to motivate yourself. I will never be satisfied. I will always strive to get better.”

Millsap has made gigantic strides improving on an already steady career. He has made the All-Star team in both of his seasons with the Hawks. He never made it in his first seven seasons with the Jazz. Millsap credits the Hawks’ offensive system that has allowed him to pull back the curtain and expose his full game.

Jeff Teague reps the Hawks, but also the city of Indianapolis

Jeff Teague reps the Hawks, but also the city of Indianapolis

Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague is putting up 17.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game for the 43-11 squad. He’s been named to the 2015 East NBA All-Star team as a reserve. So of course he reps the Hawks. But he’s also an important basketball figure for his hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting:

It’s All-Star Weekend, and while the Pacers don’t have any representatives at this year’s game, there’s one participant that should be of particular interest for Indianapolis basketball fans.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, a Pike grad, was selected to his first All-Star Game after leading the Hawks to the East’s best record, highlighted by a 19-game win streak.

So why should you care about Teague’s selection?

Well, because he’s the first Indianapolis-bred All-Star since George McGinnis in 1979.

Yup, that’s right, it’s been 36 long years since a player from the largest city in a state synonymous with basketball has been an All-Star.

That’s not to say there haven’t been good basketball players to come from Indy during that time. Both Mike Conley (Lawrence North) and Gordon Hayward (Brownsburg) are playing at an All-Star level this season but found cracking the Western Conference roster a task too tall.