AJC: Atlanta Hawks at Cavaliers: Larry Drew's closing case

[Hawksquawk]

Larry Drew has favored a fourth-quarter lineup with Bibby at point guard, Jamal at shooting guard and J.J. at small forward along with Josh and Al. (The exception was the opener at Memphis, when the Hawks had a makehshift crew finish the blowout victory).

A lineup that includes both Bibby and Jamal can’t be considered one with a focus on defense and rebounding, two areas where L.D. says he’s looking for more from the Hawks. And when I asked L.D. why he favors that lineup late in games, he didn’t talk about defense.

“Jamal is a shot maker,” he said. “Bibby is a shot maker. You know teams are going to double-team Joe so you’ve got to have shot makers out there with him.”

But can the Hawks get enough defense and rebounding out of that group?

“In the scheme of things, I think we can,” L.D. said. “With Joe playing some three, I’m confident with his D against threes. Jamal at the two, I am trying to get him to be more conscience about rebounding. Not necessarily going in there and …

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