Atlanta Hawks: Plenty has gone right during 5-game win streak
Vivlamore reporting.
The Hawks are rolling with five straight victories, the longest current streak in the NBA, and plenty has gone right during the streak.
Al Horford, named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week (Nov. 19-25) Monday, has averaged nearly a double-double in the five wins. Zaza Pachulia and Josh Smith are helping the Hawks dominate in the paint. Jeff Teague has the transition game running at a high speed.
It hasn’t all been perfect. They needed a 3-pointer by Kyle Korver in the final seconds to defeat a winless Wizards team at home. He also hit another from long range late against the Clippers who were making a serious run from a 27-point deficit.
“I think we’ve just played well,” Horford said Monday. “We still have some work to do as a team. We can get better.”
Here is a closer look at what has worked during the current win streak, where the Hawks have outscored the Kings, Magic, Wizards, Bobcats and Clippers by a combined score of 509-452.
Transition
The Hawks preach an up-tempo style and it’s starting to come together. Teague has been running the show with Lou Williams coming off the bench and Devin Harris nursing a toe injury. Teague is averaging 14 points and eight assists during the streak.
“Jeff has been on a roll for us,” Horford said. “He’s the one that is driving what we have going on right now with his energy and finding people. He’s been finding me a lot. He’s making the game easier for a lot of us.”
Coach Larry Drew said after 12 games he is pleased with how far the transition game has progressed. There is still a need for more consistency.
Teague had a double-double each of the past two games in points and assists, a first in his career. In fact, it’s the first time he’s posted back-to-back double-digit assist games.
“I just try to push the ball,” Teague said. “We used to walk it up a lot last year. This year we are getting out and trying to push it. We are small but we are fast and we try to use that to our advantage.
Horford has hot hand
Horford missed the Hawks’ game against the Warriors with the stomach illness that hit the team on its West coast trip last week. In the five games since, he is averaging 17.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists (including 10 against the Wizards).
Presence in the paint
The Hawks have been tough inside during over the past five games. They have scored more points in the paint in each contest. They were outrebounded in two of those games, the Wizards and Magic, but still held the inside advantage. Guards have gotten into the lane and the front court has been solid, In addition to Horford, Pachulia is averaging 10 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Of the team’s success on the inside, both in points and rebounding, Pachulia said simply “Stats don’t lie.”
The bench
The Hawks’ bench has continued to be an asset. While the reserves were outscored in each of the wins over the streak, by a significant margin (214-137), roles are starting to be established. Lou Williams is fourth on the team in scoring average coming off the bench in every game this season. Anthony Morrow and Ivan Johnson are playing more minutes. Anthony Tolliver has played only 3:33 with four DNPs over the past five games.
“I’m a role player and I like to see the guys play their role and do their job and bring something to the table,” Pachulia said. “It’s beautiful to see. It’s so much fun to play in this kind of situation. Everybody is on the same page again.”
Defensive effort
The Hawks have been strong defensively, especially in the second half, during the streak. They have outscored each opponent following intermission in each game. Drew has sprinkled in some zone defense to help with matchup issues.
“I think it has really helped us win some games where we’ve played man and then went to our zone and gotten some mileage out of it,” Drew said. “… It can be to generate a different rhythm of the game. There may be certain matchups we don’t like. We may have problems defending somebody half-court one-on-one.”
* In news from practice: Harris (toe) did not participate. He could be ready by Wednesday. DeShawn Stevenson (ankle) practice and is ready to play.
- Chris Vivlamore
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
90 comments Add your comment
keith
November 26th, 2012
8:38 pm
These are Al Jefferson’s Nimbers this season, he is 27 years of age. Courtesy of espn.go.com
PPG RPG BLKPG PER
15.6 11.3 1.1 20.01
These Numbers will look nice in an Atlanta Hawk uniform. Make it happen Atlanta Hawk org.
Clarification
November 26th, 2012
8:56 pm
Al Jefferson’s playoff numbers: 10.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.0 bpg
Just the facts, ma’am.
Jay
November 26th, 2012
8:59 pm
This team is very interesting!!! And so much less predictable than in prior years…it’s a welcome breath of fresh air. The Hawks haven’t hit their peak. Josh can play better. Morrow can be just as deadly as Korver from 3 if utilized correctly. We should line them up on opposite sides and just rain it down from all directions.
Teague also still hasn’t hit his peak. With his high free-throw percentage, we are going to run more of the offense through him, just wait.
Speaking of free throws, Josh and Al are killing us at the stripe! How many more points would we have if they were hitting just 60%?
If Al Horford keeps it up, he’ll be an all-star. He’s perfect for this team, hard to imagine trading him now. It makes you wonder if he still has room for growth in his game…I think he does.
Just Joe
November 26th, 2012
9:35 pm
Bocats down 54 in the mid-3rd to OKC. They’ve scored 25 points for the game.
Hawkeye
November 26th, 2012
9:40 pm
Its not rocket science.Joe Johnson was walking with the ball and literally slowed this fast paced team down all this time..
Now Teague is given the role and look what happens ..BAM!
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
9:48 pm
Melo with 34..
23 seconds left tied at 84…Its Melo time!
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
9:53 pm
and he catches back iron like Joe does so many times with the game on the line.. Sheesh…
OVERTIME
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
9:55 pm
Bobcats should have called in sick today? OMG. DOWN 50 plus?
Alt logo
November 26th, 2012
9:55 pm
Modified Hawks logo:
http://imgur.com/a/72DHk
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
9:57 pm
Stackhouse with 4 freaking 3’s? What gives?
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
10:01 pm
Nets are executing in the clutch. Melo shooting bricks..Sounds familiar?
Brooklyn up 6. Joe can disappear and the Nets do not miss a beat..Deep team..
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
10:04 pm
Brooklyn is trouble in the East… A win tonight makes them 7-1 at home
heat check
November 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
Chris V…….am I missing something or are there a few blackout games coming up? I don’t see any local tv listed for the DEN, WAS or GS games in early Dec.
If that’s the case, any idea what’s up with that? Even back when they were just scraping past the 10-win plateau, there were rarely blackouts. This would be 4 in the first 6wks. They’re getting a little local mo going…..bad time to start shutting the curtains. I’m sure everyone would like to attend more games, but the economy kinda sucks, if ASG hasn’t noticed.
(And thanks for the record-breaking pace you’re posting these blogs!)
Slimjr
November 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
Avery gives Stackhouse a bunch of minutes up there and he gets it done!
doc
November 26th, 2012
10:44 pm
geez the bulls blew a 27 pt lead against fear the deer.
doc
November 26th, 2012
10:45 pm
aka 0-8, whacha got to say tonight? heh heh
Ken Strickland
November 26th, 2012
10:45 pm
Everyone felt this yrs Hawks would be able to score pts with all of the shooters we have. However, I don’t remember anyone, other than me, who felt they would be a good DEF team. I knew this team would be able to play good team DEF if LDrew and his staff could design a good team DEF concept, and it seems they were up to the challenge.
Without JJ to dominate the ball and stop the OFF and ball movement has allowed JTeague to consistently run the OFF and have the team play the style of ball it’s best suited to play, rather than just one player.
ROD FROM CP-You’re correct, the Hawks have gotten off to quick starts in the past, but that was due to being a veteran team that’s played together for several yrs. This yrs team has 2 new starters and a total of 8 new players overall. What they’ve accomplished so far is just amazing, considering how LDrew started out screwing up player rotations and starting lineups.
Once he stopped playing favorites and straightened out his rotations by playing the more deserving players, this team took off. And if LDrew doesn’t make the move he made with Josh in the last gm a one time thing, this team will get decidedly better.
Astro Joe
November 26th, 2012
10:46 pm
Y’all better celebrate a 5 game winning streak when it happens this season irrespective of the competition. If you’re waiting to give the squad some love after a 10 game winning streak against elite competition, well…
Ken Strickland
November 26th, 2012
10:54 pm
SLIMJR-It looks like MWoodson is going to ride CAnthony’s back offensively during the regular season just like he rode JJ’s back. In the playoffs, when they encounter better DEF teams, these better DEFs will limited their OFF just like they did with us. AHorford has been ballin and was selected player of the week, yet we still have a narrow minded individual totally discounting his accomplishments because he doesn’t play a certain way. STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
Najeh Davenpoop
November 26th, 2012
10:56 pm
“Joe can disappear and the Nets do not miss a beat..Deep team..”
Kinda like the Hawks?
Najeh Davenpoop
November 26th, 2012
10:59 pm
Those of you saying it’s still early are correct. But for them to be the #1 defensive team in the league 12 games into the season and only have one double-digit loss on the ledger is pretty impressive. Nobody is saying they are a title contender, but they are looking like a legit playoff team, and it starts with having 4 very good defensive big men including an All Defense team candidate.
Rev in Tampa
November 27th, 2012
12:00 am
All this time I’ve been wishing I was a fly on the wall for Danny Ferry’s preseason conversation with Josh Smith, but now I know what he said… “I got rid of the Joe and Marvin.”
ENOUGH SAID.
Rev in Tampa
November 27th, 2012
12:02 am
Just when we thought that Woody’s team was the best in the East, we find out they are not even the best team in the Five Boroughs.
Rev in Tampa
November 27th, 2012
12:04 am
By the way, what has happened to Jerry Stackhouse??? He looked like an old man last year.
Slimjr
November 27th, 2012
12:29 am
KEN S and doc, Woodson appears to ride his Stars but aren’t you supposed too in the clutch. Sir Charles made a statement tonight along those lines on TNT. He basically said that everyone playing in the NBA can play but you need that one Star or two who can step up and get you baskets or whatever it takes to achieve those winning results..
I’m not going to make excuses tonight but the Knicks were missing Jason Kid and Amare..May have been a different outcome with those two playing?
I think of Kobe in his prime hitting all of those big game shots or Michael founding his knock down shooters wide open to close out games, or Lebron hitting clutch shots and finding his shooters to help him finally win the Finals..Once Jason and Amare come back healthy it will certainly give Woodson more options at the end of games like this one tonight..
Ken it was said by you and others that Al would probably benefit most with these Hawks excellent penetrating guards and it looks like that has come true. Al is balling and its good to see..He’ll fix the free throw percentage as the season progresses..I sure hope Josh can too.
You just have to engage the scroll key with that dude Ken..
27-7
9-4
doc
November 27th, 2012
12:34 am
aka 0-8, woody, will look a lot smarter riding melo than jj.
guarontee!
Slimjr
November 27th, 2012
12:36 am
check that [27-10] Woodson is.
Slimjr
November 27th, 2012
12:38 am
hehehehe^^^^
Big Daddy
November 27th, 2012
6:18 am
Hawks are doing well. The team is doing much better than suspected before the season and the coaching has improved dramactically. I remain optimistic to the regular season record for this team. Al is getting great recognition, Teague is playing inspired ball, Josh is really playing team ball, Zaza has really improved his ball handling and footwork and the supporting cast finally understand their roles. This can easily be a 50 win team during the regular season.
However, I do believe unless Ferry can get a scoring small forward who can play defense without adversely affecting the chemistry of the team, their trip into the playoffs will be a short one. I remain optimistic and hope to see this team playing in June.
FACTS
November 27th, 2012
7:14 am
All Star, Eastern Conference Player Of The Week, etc.
Al actually wins things. All Josh wins is “All Snub” teams.
FACTS
November 27th, 2012
7:19 am
“Josh Smith just missed 5 straight ill-advised long jump shots and got stripped trying to bring the ball up court like a PG but he just got a dunk so it makes up for it”
- All Snub Fan Club Members
FACTS
November 27th, 2012
7:22 am
“Wow, snubbed again. Josh will definitely be an All-Star next season, and average 20/10.”
- All Snub Fan Club Members for the past 4 years
terrell
November 27th, 2012
7:56 am
U forgot to mention Josh. He’s going to be jealous. Prolly start jacking up some more jumpers wed night. lol
Slimjr
November 27th, 2012
8:07 am
[finding]^^^^
Westurd
November 27th, 2012
8:24 am
Has there been a Josh Smith sighting yet this season? I think I’ve seen him on he court a few times, but just aren’t sure.
terrell
November 27th, 2012
8:31 am
I told yall fools about Teague a long time ago, when most of you were clowning him. Now everybody’s on the Teague bandwagon. Please. lol.
Mike is Back
November 27th, 2012
8:33 am
Big ups to Al…and well deserved award!
Big ups to the Coaching Staff…and the entire Team!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ESPNtweets
November 27th, 2012
8:38 am
@ChrisBroussard
My Sources have confirmed that Josh Smith just shot another air ball
Ken Strickland
November 27th, 2012
8:42 am
SLIMJR-It’s one thing to ride your you star in clutch situations, which is expected, but it’s another thing entirely to ride him from the opening tip to the end of the gm. If Camelo ends up in the same injury situation Amare’s in now, the team would almost totally collapse. I just don’t like the idea of putting all of your eggs in one OFF basket, and that’s what Woodson’s limited OFF approach does.
It’s especially dangerous when your other star is as fragile as Amare seems to be. Plus, him being primarily a pick and roll type of player means his OFF is based on an entirely different approach than Camelo. Woodson has definitely done a good job of getting his team to buy into playing DEF.
But how long can you expect Knick players to continue playing 4 quarters of solid DEF when most of them are being totally ignored by Woodson’s OFF approach? I believe we’ve already started to see the results of that over the last 3-4gms. I love the fact that Horford acknowledged Teague’s contribution to him having such a solid start.
Teague’s play reminds me a lot of TParker, except he’s been less of a scorer and more of a facilitator than Parker. Unlike JJ, when you see Teague dribbling the ball he’s setting up the OFF and running a play, rather than waiting for a clearout to run an ISO. The only thing this team is missing to make it a solid contender to make the EC finals is a solid rebounding and defending SF and another Big.
A young and athletic C/PF combination like KBenson could do a lot more for this team, both immediately and in the future, than a one dimensional 3pt shooting specialist like Tolliver, or a total nonfactor like Petro.
Buddy Grizzard
November 27th, 2012
8:43 am
“Before the national media gets locked in on the “next great assistant”, shouldn’t the local fan base have an inkling of such a thing? And don’t give me the “Josh impact” as the only factor for the defensive performance.” – AJ
And that’s despite the fact that the Hawks have no small forward on the roster and frequently play a 6-2 point guard at the shooting guard position. Credit is due somewhere.