Hoopinion: Breaking Down 22 Fast Break Points

[Hawksquawk]

22 fast break points. Kind of a lot in an 87-possession game. Especially one in which your opponents get three out of every eight possible offensive rebounds and force just 13 turnovers (with two of the turnovers being passes out of bounds, one being a 24-second violation, and one a steal with a single second left in the third quarter). Of course, that has a lot to do with it being an 87-possession game as well. Bucksketball's Jeremy saw the success the Atlanta Hawks had in running on the Milwaukee Bucks as a key to the Game 2 victory:

The Hawks are constantly looking to run on Milwaukee. They’re running on turnovers, they’re running on misses and they’re running on makes. Atlanta’s motto seems to be: never stop running. But they aren’t doing it irresponsibly, mind you. They’re in control the whole time. If there isn’t an easy shot, Atlanta is pulling it back out. But they are at least exploring the opportunity to see if there is something they can get easy. The fast breaks that have come off Milwaukee turnovers have been especially effective.

20 of the Hawks' 22 credited fast break points are easily discerned and listed below with the five Hawks on the floor at the time on the right margin.

1Q

Bibby/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Horford

8:16 [ATL 8-6] Smith Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bibby (1 AST)

Crawford/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Pachulia

2:52 [ATL 21-12] Williams Running Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Johnson (3 AST) Williams Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)

Teague/Crawford/Evans/Josh Smith/Pachulia

0:15.7 [ATL 26-20] Smith Running Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS)

0:01.9 [ATL 28-20] Smith Putback Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)

2Q

Bibby/Crawford/Johnson/Joe Smith/Horford

8:10 [ATL 34-32] Horford Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Johnson (4 AST)

3Q

Bibby/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Horford

10:38 [ATL 56-46] Williams Running Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Williams Free Throw 1 of 1 (8 PTS)

Crawford/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Horford

5:48 [ATL 65-53] Smith Putback Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS)

Crawford/Johnson/Evans/Josh Smith/Horford

4:24 [ATL 69-53] Johnson Running Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Smith (5 AST)

2:58 [ATL 73-55] Evans Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Smith (7 AST)

• Eight points an two assists for Josh Smith (who was on court for 18 of the 20 fast break points I've identified)
• Six points for Marvin Williams
• Two points and two assists for Joe Johnson (who was on court for 16 of the 20 fast break points I've identified)
• Two points for Al Horford
• Two points for Mo Evans
• One assist for Mike Bibby

As to how these nine fast breaks started...

1Q

Bibby/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Horford

8:21 Thomas Jump Shot: Missed 8:20 Bibby Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)

Crawford/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Pachulia

2:56 Mbah a Moute Layup Shot: Missed Block: Smith (1 BLK) 2:54 Crawford Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)

Teague/Crawford/Evans/Josh Smith/Pachulia

0:18.9 Ilyasova Turnover: Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal: Smith (1 ST)

0:08.9 Salmons Turnover: Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal: Crawford (1 ST)

2Q

Bibby/Crawford/Johnson/Joe Smith/Horford

8:16 Delfino 3pt Shot: Missed 8:14 Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)

3Q

Bibby/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Horford

10:41 Salmons Turnover: Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal: Williams (1 ST)

Crawford/Johnson/Williams/Josh Smith/Horford

5:56 Delfino Turnover: Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal: Horford (2 ST)

Crawford/Johnson/Evans/Josh Smith/Horford

4:29 Stackhouse Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed 4:28 Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)

3:05 Salmons Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (10 PTS) [MIL 55-71]

• Four of the fast breaks began with defensive rebounds of missed/blocked shots (three of those rebounded by guards)
• Four began with steals
• One came off a made basket

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