Peachtree Hoops - Feb 22: Hawks 97, Bucks 86The place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/8811/peachtree-fave.jpg2015-02-24T08:00:03-05:00http://www.peachtreehoops.com/rss/stream/78486602015-02-24T08:00:03-05:002015-02-24T08:00:03-05:00Hawks execute perfect lob play against Bucks
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Here is a closer look at how the Atlanta Hawks can make teams pay for their aggressive defense against Kyle Korver. </p> <p>Sunday's win over the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> wasn't a beautiful display of basketball for the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> but they did have moments of good execution. One such moment occurred in the fourth quarter with the Hawks leading 79-68.</p>
<p>Milwaukee had defended the Hawks aggressively on the perimeter but <span>Kyle Korver</span> had gotten free and knocked down three three-pointers in the fourth. Coming out of the timeout, the Hawks took advantage of the extra attention given to Korver to find <span>Al Horford</span> for a dunk finish.</p>
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<p>On the initial setup, Korver starts out on the right wing. He fakes up before cutting baseline off of a pair of screens from <span>Mike Scott</span> and Al Horford.</p>
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<p>Korver gains some separation from his defender <span>Khris Middleton</span> who bites on the fake. Middleton goes over the top of Scott's screen but is still trailing Korver on the play.</p>
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<p>As Korver clears Horford's screen, <span>Miles Plumlee</span> switches to Korver to prevent a wide open three-point look. Horford recognizes the switch and immediately dives to the basket.</p>
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<p>Middleton hesitates and doesn't initially switch to Horford. That moment of indecision is all Atlanta needs as Horford takes the perfect pass and slams it home. Good recognition on the play by Dennis Schröder as the pass is already on its way to the rim just as Horford begins his cut to the basket.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PO5IuNINRaA" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>This was an instance where <span>Mike Budenholzer</span> called a set play to take advantage of the Bucks' aggressive defense against Korver. As the season has developed, teams are paying Korver more and more attention and rightfully so. Plays like this one are an example of ways the Hawks can make teams play and keep them honest on the defensive end of the floor.</p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/24/8094897/atlanta-hawks-al-horford-lob-playKris Willis2015-02-23T10:00:03-05:002015-02-23T10:00:03-05:00Hawks get back on track with win over Bucks
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Takeaways from Sunday's 97-86 win by the Atlanta Hawks over the Milwaukee Bucks. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> got back on track Sunday evening by grinding out a 97-86 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>. The win snapped Milwaukee's seven-game home winning streak and pushed Atlanta's lead in the Eastern Conference back to 6.5 games over the idle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Toronto Raptors</a>.</p>
<p>Atlanta's defensive improvement is the biggest reason they find themselves at the top of the East standings this season and that intensity returned on Sunday. The Hawks had seen some slippage defensively of late but were dialed in early against the Bucks.</p>
<p>"Three of the four quarters we were good defensively," said head coach <span>Mike Budenholzer</span>. "The goal is 48 minutes or to do it for all four. By and large it was a much better effort tonight."</p>
<p>With Atlanta's offense sputtering, the Hawks' defense forced Milwaukee into 25 turnovers. Those extra opportunities led to an early lead. That lead disappeared in the third as turnovers by Atlanta derailed their good defensive effort.</p>
<p>"I think we found a way to do enough offensively but we had that third quarter and it got tight," said Budenholzer. "I thought both ends of the court we weren't playing well. We were turning it over. I think the turnovers were feeding not a great defensive third quarter. It was good for the group to have it get tight and then respond and find a way and get better defensively. Obviously, Kyle makes some shots and it opens things up for a lot of different people. It's a good win against a good team, a well-coached team. We needed it today."</p>
<p>Korver knocked down three three-point attempts in the fourth quarter to help give the Hawks some breathing room. It wasn't a pretty game by any means but its another quality road win over a good opponent.</p>
<h4>Turnovers prove costly again</h4>
<p>The Hawks finished Sunday's game with 20 turnovers which lead to 23 points for the Bucks. Milwaukee scored 13 points off of nine Atlanta miscues in the third quarter of Sunday's game as the Hawks' lead vanished. Atlanta has turned the ball over 43 times in the last two games leading to 53 points for the opposition.</p>
<p>Its not just that the Hawks are turning the ball over but it how they are occurring that is the problem. Live ball turnovers lead to fast break opportunities and high percentage shots for opponents. Budenholzer was critical of his team's defensive effort in the third but closer examination may reveal that the turnovers on the offensive end but the team in several tough spots defensively.</p>
<p>In two games since the break, we have seen the Raptors and the Bucks get physical with Atlanta. Suspect officiating in Sunday's game made it difficult for either team to find much of a rhythm offensively. Milwaukee's length on the defensive end of the floor made it tough but the Hawks struggled with their spacing at times and that usually leads to turnovers.</p>
<h4>Hawks get back to attacking the paint</h4>
<p>With Milwaukee aggressively defending the perimeter, Atlanta did a good job of putting their heads down and attacking the paint. The Hawks outscored the Bucks 42-36 in the paint and had a 19-7 edge in second-chance points. Atlanta finished with just 26 points in the paint in Friday's loss to Toronto.</p>
<p>People like to talk about Atlanta's three-point shooting and the way they space the floor but none of that is possible if they do not attack the paint. The Hawks still managed to get off 30 three-point attempts on Sunday but that was only possible due to the many possessions where <span>Jeff Teague</span>, Dennis Schröder or <span>Paul Millsap</span> attacked the paint and then kicked the ball out to open shooters.</p>
<h4>Jeff Teague, Dennis Schröder share the backcourt</h4>
<p>Jeff Teague and Dennis Schröder have become a solid one-two punch for the Hawks this season at the point guard position. They spent a lot of time in Sunday's game in the backcourt together.</p>
<p>"We liked what we saw," Budenholzer said. "Dennis was playing really well tonight and helped us in a lot of different ways. They play some combinations and some groups that are a little bit smaller, not just at the guard but across the whole lineup, so you feel a little more comfortable playing Dennis and Jeff together."</p>
<p>Budenholzer has shown an affinity for smaller lineups in the past and used both point guards together on Sunday to attack Milwaukee's aggressive perimeter defense. For the most part it worked although the duo combined for 10 of Atlanta's 20 turnovers in the game.</p>
<p>Teague finished with 10 points and just two assists but added four steals and helped set the tone early defensively while Schröder added 12 points and nine assists off the bench. Despite the turnovers, having both point guards on the floor put a lot of pressure on the defense in Atlanta's pick and roll schemes.</p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/23/8089669/hawks-vs-bucks-2015-final-scoreKris Willis2015-02-22T18:12:50-05:002015-02-22T18:12:50-05:00Hawks respond with 97-86 win over Bucks
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Paul Millsap turned in a big performance as the Atlanta Hawks bounced back with a 97-86 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. </p> <p>It wasn't the prettiest performance form a basketball standpoint but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> responded in a big way with a 97-86 road win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>.</p>
<p>All season long the Hawks have made a habit of responding after poor performances. They set the tone early on Sunday as their defense forced turnovers and pushed the lead to as many as 16 points in the first half.</p>
<p>The Bucks pushed back in the third as turnovers again plagued the Hawks. Nine of Atlanta's 20 turnovers came in the third quarter and led to 13 points for Milwaukee. The Hawks shot just 25 percent in the quarter and the Bucks came all the way back to tie the game at 64-64 with 53.3 remaining in the period.</p>
<p>Atlanta began the fourth with an 8-2 run that included a pair of three-pointers from <span>Kyle Korver</span> to extend the lead to 74-66. A key moment came early in the period when <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> was whistled for a flagrant-1 foul after he landed an elbow to the head of Dennis Schröder on a rebound attempt. Schröder made both free throws and Korver knocked down another three on the ensuing possession. The five point swing gave the Hawks some breathing room and a 79-68 lead.</p>
<p><span>Paul Millsap</span> returned and scored seven straight points to push the lead to 90-73. Millsap finished with a game-high 23 points and 16 rebounds. The Bucks would score seven straight points to cut Atlanta's lead to 10 with 3:38 remaining. However, <span>DeMarre Carroll</span> answered with a three-pointer and the Hawks ran off a 7-0 run of their own to cruise home for the win.</p>
<p>Millsap led led six different Hawks players in double figures. <span>Al Horford</span> finished with 15 points while Korver and Schröder finished with 12 each. <span>Khris Middleton</span> and <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> led Milwaukee with 19 points each.</p>
<p>The Hawks return home after the game and will enjoy a pair of off days before hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> Wednesday at Philips Arena.</p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/22/8087845/hawks-vs-bucks-final-scoreKris Willis2015-02-22T17:26:52-05:002015-02-22T17:26:52-05:00The Automatic Kyle Korver Nails a Deep Three<iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OQgiM1d5KbF/embed/simple" width="480" height="480"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Like clockwork all season long.</p></p></div>
https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/22/8087713/the-automatic-kyle-korver-nails-a-deep-threeshamus_clancy2015-02-22T13:53:00-05:002015-02-22T13:53:00-05:00Michael Carter-Williams won't play against Hawks<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/569569697517211648">Michael Carter-Williams won't play against&nbsp;Hawks</a></h3>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/22/8085471/michael-carter-williams-wont-play-against-hawksKris Willis2015-02-22T13:32:42-05:002015-02-22T13:32:42-05:00Hawks vs. Bucks: Q&A with Brew Hoop
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Eric Buenning of Brew Hoop has all the answers on the up-and-coming Milwaukee Bucks.</p> <p>Brew Hoop's Eric Buenning took some time to chat with me about Milwaukee's trade deadline activity, how they've weathered the storm of lost players, and what the future looks like.</p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/22/8085241/hawks-vs-bucks-q-a-with-brew-hoopDaniel Christian2015-02-22T08:00:03-05:002015-02-22T08:00:03-05:00Hawks hit road to face new-look Bucks
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Atlanta Hawks look to get headed back in the right direction as they face a very different looking Milwaukee Bucks team on Sunday. </p> <p>The return from the All-Star break didn't go very well for the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>. Atlanta dropped the season series to the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Raptors</a> in a 105-80 blowout loss on Friday at Philips Arena. They will try to get their swagger back and avoid a three-game losing streak for the first time this season Sunday afternoon when they face the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a> at the Bradley Center.</p>
<p>Atlanta has gone just 3-4 since their 19-game winning streak was snapped. They still own a healthy lead in the Eastern Conference but they aren't playing with the same sharpness or an edge that we saw during the streak. Atlanta shot just 33 percent from the field in Friday's loss but after the game it was their defensive effort that most concerned head coach <span>Mike Budenholzer</span>.</p>
<p>Toronto knocked down 45 percent of its field goal attempts and found little resistance. To make matters worse, Atlanta turned the ball over 23 times which led to 30 points for the Raptors. The Hawks are a great offensive team but their elevation to the top of the Eastern Conference standings has been a direct result of their defensive improvements. They aren't going to beat the good teams in the league trying to simply outscore them. They must get back to that mindset.</p>
<p>Atlanta faces a tough task on Sunday against a Bucks team that has won seven straight at home and nine of its last 10. Milwaukee made some roster tweaks at the deadline shipping out point guard <span>Brandon Knight</span> in a deal that netted them point guard <span>Michael Carter-Williams</span> from Philadelphia. The team also acquired reserve point guard <span>Tyler Ennis</span> and another big to their bench in <span>Miles Plumlee</span> in the deal.</p>
<p>Carter-Williams isn't the same type of offensive player that Knight is but it adds another long defender to the Bucks lineup. Milwaukee played shorthanded on Friday and defeated the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> 89-81. All of the new additions could make their debut on Sunday.</p>
<p>Atlanta and Milwaukee split two match ups so far this season with the road team winning each. The Bucks spanked the Hawks at Philips Arena 107-77 back on December 26 behind a 24 points from Jared Dudley. Atlanta came back one night later and handed Milwaukee a 90-85 loss at the Bradley Center to begin their 19 game winning streak.</p>
<p>Throughout this season, Atlanta has made a habit of stepping up their play when they have needed to the most. They have followed tough losses with winning streaks and have been able to focus in after bad performances. There is no panic in the Hawks locker room and there shouldn't be. The trade deadline came and went but Atlanta still holds the second best record in the league. That is no fluke. Fluke runs don't last for 50+ games.</p>
<p>Still they need to get things turned around and headed back in the right direction. The Hawks worked hard to get to the top of the standings and to give that away during the final stretch of the season would be a big blow heading into the playoffs.</p>
<p>Atlanta has responded well to adversity throughout this season. They get another chance on Sunday.</p>
<h3>Game Info</h3>
<p><b>Game Date/Time:</b> Sunday, February 22, 3:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> SportSouth</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b>92.9 "The Game" FM</p>
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https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/2/22/8084589/hawks-vs-bucks-preview-time-tv-radioKris Willis