Official Game Thread: Hawks - Bucks

[lethalweapon3]

“Hold up, where’s Brandon? And when did we go get Bruno Mars?”

Things weren’t looking too hot for the Atlanta Hawks.

Their opponents were running them out of the gym. Their big shots weren’t falling, and neither were the free throws and layups. The transition defense seemed stuck in mud, and the fans were left sitting on their hands, awaiting a run that never came. After having their feel-good run stopped dead in its tracks, there was a clear sense of uncertainty about how things would unfold going forward for Atlanta.

Then, the Hawks went to Milwaukee.

They kicked things off with a 21-10 first quarter, and thwarted a comeback attempt in the second half for a 90-85 win over the same team that stole their lunch money one night before. It was the first victory of a winning streak that stretched through the end of December, and through the entirety of January, earning multiple Hawks players monthly hardware and All-Star adulation.

After having their tailfeathers kicked on Friday, this time at Toronto’s hands, the Hawks come into Milwaukee once again hoping the host Bucks (3:30 PM Eastern, SportSouth, FoxSports Wisconsin) still have some of that elixir lying around. Bucks coach Jason Kidd will do all he can to hide it.

While the Hawks used that December 27 bounce-back win to propel themselves to the top of the roost in the East, the Bucks didn’t exactly go quietly into the night. The loss dropped Milwaukee to 15-16, but since that game they’ve gone a spiffy 16-7, topping Cleveland and Toronto (both on the road) and Portland along the way. They’re not Kidd-ing around -- the Bucks intend to continue their trek up the standings by winning their fifth-straight game this afternoon, currently boasting the longest streak in the East.

Illustrating how crazy-competitive this so-called inexperienced bunch has been, 6^th-seeded Milwaukee hasn’t lost a game by double-digits since December 9. They’re clearly ensconced among the upper-crust of the Eastern Conference (three games behind Central Division-leading Chicago, eight games in front of 7^th-seeded Miami). That’s all the more impressive considering their top-flight rookies (Jabari Parker and second-rounder Damien Inglis) are out for the season, backup guard Kendall Marshall suffered a season-ending injury in London, and former franchise face Larry Sanders got bought out so he could go deal with his moody blues.

As a testament to the impressive job Kidd is doing, the Bucks’ defense (99.0 opponent points per 100 possessions) ranks 2^nd in the NBA. The spindly limbs of Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson (5.1 blocks per 100 possessions, 6^th in NBA), and Khris Middleton are disrupting opponents’ passing schemes and putting ample pressure on ballhandlers (9.5 SPG, 3^rd in NBA). Only two Bucks average less than one steal per-36. The Bucks’ athleticism allows them to get hoof it down the floor quickly. Only the Bucks allow fewer fastbreak points per game (10.6 opponent PPG) than the Hawks (10.9).

Kidd’s emphasis on using what Dominique Wilkins refers to as “linth” to his competitive advantage led him to pull the lever on perhaps the most eyebrow-raising deal of Trade Deadline Day. In the space of a week, Brandon Knight went from the biggest Eastern All-Star snub to the brightest new point-guard face out West. And by the time Knight and Marshall got to Phoenix, Michael Carter-Williams arrived in Milwaukee from the salvage yard otherwise known as the Philadelphia 76ers.

Carter-Williams went from being mired in a long-term developmental project to being handed the keys to a surprising playoff contender. To eventually turn this town into MCWaukee, he’ll have to show the same improvement under Kidd that Knight displayed in terms of defensive effort and shooting range. He’ll also have to cut down the unforced errors. The Bucks are right behind the Keystone-Kop Sixers in terms of turnover ratio (17.1 TOs per 100 possessions), and tied with Philly for opponent turnover ratio as well (17.4 opponent TOs per 100 possessions).

MCW was dealing with a toe issue before the All-Star break, and he is considered doubtful to make his Bucks debut today. Jerryd Bayless filled in admirably without either Knight or Carter-Williams available, leading the Bucks against Denver on Friday with 8 assists and just one turnover. Bayless will likely be looked upon to carry the load once again today, but he’ll get some relief from rookie Tyler Ennis, who arrived from Phoenix with center Miles Plumlee in the three-team deal.

Turnovers made a difference in the December back-to-back series. Atlanta committed 22 TOs on the 26^th, but just 11 one night later on the road. The Hawks escaped Milwaukee with the W despite shooting worse overall from the floor (36.7 FG%) than they did the night before (40.8 FG%). A commitment to stronger team defense (38.8 Bucks FG% on the 27^th, 50.6% the prior game) also leveled the floor in the Hawks’ favor. It’s a lesson Atlanta should reflect upon after shooting a season-low 33.0 FG% on Friday against the Raptors, the first loss on the season for the Hawks (3-1) in which they shot WORSE than 40% on the floor.

Atlanta and Milwaukee are each tied for 6^th in the league with 77.4 FT%, but the Hawks haven’t helped themselves in their past two losses (65.2 FT% at Boston, 66.7% vs. Toronto) leaving easy points off the board. Facing a physical point guard in Bayless, Teague (86.8 FT%) will want to beat Bayless off the dribble and draw fouls, building up offense at the free throw line while testing Milwaukee’s depth by getting Bayless in early foul trouble.

Atlanta’s defensive rebounders and stoppers must find their point guards to key the break against the stingy Bucks in transition. Milwaukee will resort to fouls (22.3 per game, 3^rd most in NBA) if they cannot strip the ball or disrupt runs to the other end of the floor. The Hawks must play to the whistle and not the contact, finishing plays around the hoop, and striving to retain possession of the ball when they get hacked, rather than standing around in hopes the referee bailouts are coming.

Knight’s departure will cause the Bucks to turn more toward Jared Dudley (he of the perfect 10-for-10 shooting night in Atlanta on Dec. 26) and Middleton (8-for-15 FGs, 5-for-8 3FGs vs. ATL on Dec. 27) to keep up with a Hawks team that expects the Law of Averages (21.1 3FG% vs. Toronto on Friday) to work in their favor today. Hawksquawk fan-favorite O.J. Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova are likely to contribute today after nursing a hamstring strain and illness, respectively.

Paul Millsap has struggled of late (8-for-26 FGs last two games), but should be able to use his relative girth to his advantage when facing off against either of the Greek Freak or Middleton in the post. DeMarre Carroll, Millsap, and the driving point guard duo of Teague and Dennis Schröder (1-for-12 FGs vs. Milwaukee) can keep Antetokounmpo and Henson busy around the rim, while Zaza Pachulia and Plumlee will be occupied with scouting Al Horford’s mid-range game.

Horford should get ample touches in space for both in-the-paint dishes and mid-range swishes. That plus an increased number of plays run for Carroll in the paint should be enough to free up Kyle Korver (3-for-13 3FGs vs. Milwaukee; 2-for-11 against Toronto on Friday) for a better array of catch-and-shoot opportunities around the perimeter.

Atlanta hasn’t dropped three consecutive games since the end of March last year. A win tonight isn’t likely to precede another month-long winning streak, but it should help right the ship and re-establish some confidence for the top-seeded Hawks going forward.

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

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[atlhawks1]

is pero still a hawk? if so, the bucks got a chance. lmao

[DrReality]

Gut check time

[Guest]

Great game thread as usual lw3!! Spiffy Bucks lol...I wanna stick it to Kidd. Ever since he bumped Woody like 5 years ago, I didn't appreciate that. I think we get back on track and put the Deers on their place today.

Hawks 109

Bucks 95

GO HAWKS!!!!

[Jody23]

Millsap failing to pass to a wide open Korver on that semi fast break is infuriating.

[ATLHawks3]

Is it me or am I hearing a squeaky toy during the game?

[jrok23]

I hear it too.

[ATLHawks3]

Dennis is getting fouled hard.

[Ruckus]

Rubber Buckies?

[Guest]

I'm at the game sitting courtside.

Our defensive intensity from this vantage point is breath taking.

So quick.

So aggressive! !

[Guest]

And our bench is cheering and talking constantly!

[Gray Mule]

Our Hawks are back!

[Guest]

Lots of Hawks fans at the game.

None last year.

Times are changing!!

[CBAreject]

I hate the way we're playing. Hate it so much. Some are saying it's the long break, but we were playing like this before the break.

We're making risky passes for no good reason. Guys are standing around more on offense. It seems like we get every layup blocked or it rims out. We turn the ball over early in the clock as a matter of routine. Why is millsap laying it up softly when he could dunk? We can't even shoot anymore. It's like Pero Antić took our 3 pt shooting with him.

[CBAreject]

Why does millsap keep taking on a double team on the baseline knowing he will get trapped, step out of bounds or end up throwing up a circus shot?

[CBAreject]

Every fast break for us, I'm just sure were going to miss the layup.

[CBAreject]

We just had a 3 on one and I had not even the slightest hope we would score on it

[atlhawks1]

the pero counter:

 

1. hoist 3 point bricks. check

 

2. bad pass that gets intercepted. check

 

3. blows fastbreak easy layup. check

 

4. misses one on nothing layup. check

[Carmine]

Gonna be a close one

[Carmine]

Same song, different tune. Teams with length give us problems.