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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.

Kyle Korver replaces Dwyane Wade (injured) on 2015 NBA All-Star team

Kyle Korver replaces Dwyane Wade (injured) on 2015 NBA All-Star team

Kyle Korver replaces Dwyane Wade (injured) on 2015 East NBA All-Star team

Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Eastern Conference All-Star reserve Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The addition of Korver, the NBA leader in multiple shooting categories, gives the Hawks a record-tying four All-Stars in a season.

Korver is on pace to post the best single-season shooting performance in NBA history at 51.6% from the field, 52.8% from 3-point territory and 92.0% from the free throw line – aiming to become the first qualifying player ever to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from behind the arc and 90 percent on free throws. The 12-year veteran is averaging 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the 43-10 Hawks.

At 33 years and 11 months, Korver is the fourth-oldest first-time All-Star in NBA history, behind the New York Knicks’ Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton (34 years, 3 months in 1957), Minnesota Timberwolves’ Sam Cassell (34 years, 2 months in 2004) and Anthony Mason of the Miami Heat (34 years, 2 months in 2001).

Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague named to 2015 East All-Star team

Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague named to 2015 East All-Star team

Al Horford, Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague have been selected by the Eastern Conference coaches to the All-Star team, and will compete in the 2015 All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York. This marks the first time since 1980 that the Hawks have had three All-Stars.

“It is an honor for our entire organization to have Al, Paul and Jeff selected to play on the All-Star stage,” said Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer, who will serve as head coach of the Eastern Conference squad. “The recognition is well-deserved for each of them. We are very proud of the guys, and also want to acknowledge the rest of our players and coaches for their roles in helping our players reach this accomplishment.”

Horford, an All-Star for the third time (also 2010 and 2011), is averaging 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in 30.5 minutes (.551 FG%, .750 FT%), having played in 44 contests. He ranks ninth in the NBA in FG%, 17th in assist-turnover ratio (2.77), 18th in FGM (300) and t20th in bpg. Horford owns eight double-doubles and recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points on 8-10 shooting, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 29 minutes at Philadelphia on Jan. 13. He was named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice this season, for games played 12/15-12/21 and for 1/12-1/18.

“I feel honored to represent the Hawks and the city of Atlanta again,” Horford said. ”I want to give credit to our coaches and my teammates, as I know I wouldn’t be in this position without their support. I look forward to enjoying the time in New York and being a part of All-Star.”

Making his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Millsap is putting in team-bests of 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals to go along with 3.2 assists in 33.3 minutes in 45 games (all starts), hitting .487 FGs, .364 3FGs and .753 FTs. He ranks 12th in the league in spg, t22nd in FTM (175), 24th in rpg and 36th in ppg. He is also seventh in the NBA in +/- radio (+331). He has scored in double-figures 42 times, including 12 20-point nights, and has 11 double-doubles.

“It’s a privilege to be an All-Star for the second straight year,” Millsap said. “I know the success our team has had so far this season is a major factor, so my teammates and coaches are the reason that I have this opportunity. I’m proud to be representing them in New York.”

In his sixth season, all with the Hawks, Teague is headed to the All-Star game for the first time. In 42 games this season (41 starts), he’s compiled 17.0 points, 7.5 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 31.3 minutes (.470 FG%, .331 3FG%, .866 FT%). Teague is sixth in the NBA in apg, 11th in spg, 14th in FT%, 15th in assist-turnover ratio (2.86), t22nd in FTM (175) and 36th in ppg. He has scored in double-digits 34 times, with 19 20-point outings, and has nine games with 10-or-more assists. Teague was the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played 12/29-1/4.

“I’d like to thank the Eastern Conference coaches,” Teague said. “Being named to the All-Star team means a lot to me and to my family, and I’m going to truly enjoy the entire experience. I’m only as successful as the team, so my teammates and coaches share in this honor.”

The Hawks are currently a Conference-best 38-8 (.826) and on a franchise record 17-game win streak (15-0 in January). Atlanta is 31-2 (.939) over the last 33 contests, and are 30 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 1996-97 season. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Atlanta is the fifth team in the last 20 seasons to win 38 of their first 46 games.

Hawks beat Pistons for 13th straight win

The Atlanta hawks defended their home court Monday, beating the Detroit Pistons 93-82. Paul Millsap and Mike Scott each scored 20 points in the win. For Detroit in the loss, Greg Monroe had 16 points and 20 rebounds, while Andre Drummond had 13 points and 18 rebounds. Here’s Michigan Live reporting:

The two hottest teams in the NBA met Monday in Atlanta, and the Detroit Pistons got another up-close look at just how good the sizzling Hawks are.

Whether making shots or not, the Hawks’ defense always shows up, as it did again in a 93-82 victory in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee at Philips Arena.

The Hawks won their 13th consecutive game and 27th in their last 29, while Detroit lost for just the third time in its last 14 games, with two of those losses to the Hawks.

The Pistons (16-26) lost contact during a late-third-quarter stretch when they had drawn within one point but Jodie Meeks and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope forced 3-pointers in quick succession.

Jeff Teague, Kevin Durant named Players of Week through January 4

Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant on Monday were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 29, through Sunday, Jan. 4.

Teague led the Hawks to a 3-0 week, behind a conference-leading 23.7 ppg, and his 8.3 apg and 2.67 spg were both good for second in the conference. Teague shot .500 or better from the field in all three games, and handed out at least six assists in each contest. On Dec. 30, during a 109-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Teague scored 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, and added 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals. At 25-8 (.758), the Hawks stand alone atop the Eastern Conference.

Durant helped the Thunder to a 2-0 week, which included wins over the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards, behind a league-leading 39.0 ppg. He added 9.0 rpg and 4.5 apg, and ranked eighth in the West in three-point field goal percentage with a mark of .556 (10-of-18). On Dec. 31, Durant scored 44 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 effort from the foul line, as the Thunder topped the Suns 137-134 in overtime.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Dallas’ Monta Ellis, Detroit’s Andre Drummond, Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Phoenix’s Eric Bledsoe.