The Atlanta Hawks wrapped up the 2014 regular season Wednesday night with a 111-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Atlanta will open their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Getting a win is nice but the goal coming into Wednesday's game was to get most of the regulars a few minutes and then get them out of the game injury free. Mike Budenholzer accomplished that goal as Mike Scott was the only starter to play more than 22 minutes.
The game in a lot of ways was what you would expect in a rather meaningless contest. Atlanta fell behind by double digits early and surrendered 39 points in the first quarter. They then slowly started to chip away at the Milwaukee lead and eventually overtook them in the second half.
Like on Monday, Mike Budenholzer pulled his starters for good late in the third only this time the reserves were able to hold on for the victory. Atlanta watched a double figure lead slip away on Monday as the reserves finished the game. Granted Milwaukee doesn't present the same defensive challenges that Charlotte does but the Hawks' reserves did a much better job of executing on the offensive end on Wednesday.
Mike Scott got the start in place of Paul Millsap and led the way for the Hawks with 17 points. Mike Muscala played 25 minutes and set a career-high with 15 points. Cartier Martin added 14 while DeMarre Carroll finished with 13. Atlanta shot 54 percent from the field for the game and finished with 29 assists on 41 made baskets.
Brandon Knight carried the Bucks with 31 points on 12-18 shooting. John Henson finished with 19 while Khris Middleton had 16. Milwaukee shoots 52 percent and out rebounds Atlanta 43-30 but committed 22 turnovers along the way.