Every game is a “must win” for professional athletes, but this contest with the Raptors may have actually warranted the label. Prior to 8 p.m.'s tip off, the Hawks (46-32) sat uncomfortably in third place in the Eastern Conference. Three teams — the Celtics, Heat and Hornets — were all within one game of the Hawks. With four games left in the regular season, the Hawks needed to buckle down and substantiate, both mathematically and metaphorically, their three seed. It was a regular season game, but nothing felt quite regular about Thursday night’s preeminent matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
The Hawks were, in many ways, able to justify their third seed in beating Toronto 95-87.
The Hawks have played and lost to the Raptors three times this season. In those three games, Raptors guards Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan have averaged a little over 15 free throws a game.
The Hawks’ main defensive focus was to limit Lowry’s and Derozan’s ability to get to the line, and the Hawks held the two players to seven free throws in what was a large component in their victory.
The team made stops down the stretch that preserved the lead and ensured the victory. The Hawks did not allow a field goal in the last two minutes of the ball game.
Atlanta won the game in transition. The Hawks outscored the Raptors 22-2 in fast break points, and it was clear that their scoring strategy going into the game was to play at a quick pace.
“[Playing with a quick pace] is a priority for us, we gotta go out and run every night,” Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said. “In a game against Toronto, it’s even more of a priority.”
“We really wanted to get out and run tonight,” forward Kyle Korver said.
Hawks point guard Jeff Teague bore the offensive burden for the Hawks, and also effectively defended Kyle Lowry throughout the game. Teague took over in the third quarter, scoring 11 points and missing only one shot — but it was in the last minute and a half that he made his mark.
On the possession after a pair of free throws by Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas cut the Hawks lead to two, Teague hit a driving, left-handed layup while he was fouled by Raptors guard Cory Joseph with 48 seconds to go. The Hawks were up 90-86. Teague promptly knocked down the free throw, extending the lead to 91-86. The three-point play not only pushed momentum back to the Hawks, but forced Kyle Lowry into taking a heavily contested three at the other end, which he clanked off the side of the rim, sealing the victory for the Hawks.
Hawks’ small forward Thabo Sefolosha started in place for injured guard Kent Bazemore, and he defended DeRozan successfully. DeRozan finished with 16 points, but shot seven for 24 from the field.
Bazemore’s injury was announced pre-game by coach Budenholzer, who said the team does not expect the injury to be long-term.
One of the lone negatives on the night was point guard Dennis Schroder’s play. He shot 0-7 from the field. Over the last four games, Schroder is eight of 40 from the field. The German’s ability to come off the bench as a deft ball distributor is an important feature that the team will need come playoff time.
Perhaps because of Schroder’s struggles, or perhaps in need of some sort of variation after three straight losses to the Raptors, Budenholzer played seldom-used guard Kirk Hinrich and shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. at point guard at different points in the game. Hardaway had an extended assignment with Bazemore out, utilizing the opportunity aptly in scoring 11 points and playing solid defense throughout his 28 minutes on the court.
The Hawks remain in third place in the Eastern Conference. They are a half game ahead of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat with three games left to play.
In a game that could decide the fates of all four teams involved in the clutter that is the three through six seeds in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks will host the Celtics April 9 at Philips Arena.
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