NBA GameChanger: Jeff Teague Is Key For Atlanta Hawks

Peachtree Hoops is participating in the Playstation Vita GameChanger series where we select one player from the Atlanta Hawks to spotlight as a game changer. Jeff Teague was the x-factor coming into this season and returns to Chicago on Monday where he burst onto the scene during last season's playoffs. Teague was inserted into the starting lineup in that series due to an injury to Kirk Hinrich and held his own in his matchup with MVP Derrick Rose.

That performance helped Teague earn a spot in the starting lineup this season where he has done nothing to disappoint. So far this season, Teague has started all 31 games for the Hawks and is averaging 12.2 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 43 percent from the field and 46 percent from three-point range.

Teague has become a key piece for the Hawks providing a steady mix of speed and quickness at the point guard position that the team hasn't had since the days of Mookie Blaylock. In his first year as a starter, Teague has experienced some ups and downs along the way but when he has played well the Hawks have been much harder to beat.

On Monday afternoon, Teague will be looking to bounce back from a sub par game in which he scored five points on 1-10 shooting. Against the Bulls, Atlanta will need Teague to bounce back in a big way especially if Derrick Rose is able to return to the Chicago starting lineup which would set up a playoff rematch between the two young guards.

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