Atlanta Hawks Hot Winning Streak: Hawks win 6th straight game behind point guard Jeff Teague scoring 25

Coming into the off-season, I make predictions about who I feel will make the playoffs, and who I feel will miss the playoffs. I had the Atlanta Hawks missing the playoffs for the first time in years.  When the Hawks were 7-6 there's was the possibility I could have been right.  The last 22 games have changed everything.  The Hawks started 7-6, and in their last 22 games they are 20-2.  The Atlanta Hawks are getting it done on the offensive end, as well as the defensive end.  I have under estimated the Hawks, and now I'm looking at them to finish at the worst 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. At 27-8 the Atlanta Hawks have the best record in the Eastern Conference,  and are tied with the second best record in the NBA.   I'm looking at now, if the Hawks can continue to play this way, they can contend for an NBA Title in 2015.   The only thing that concerns me about the Hawks is they don't have one player taller than 6 foot 11 inches, but a lot of teams play small ball these days.  This team has on their roster many good to great players on this team.  Al Horford who I loved at Florida, is to me important to this Hawks team.  When Horford is healthy this team can go far.  Paul Millsap a 6 foot 8 power forward can give you 15 points and 8 rebounds, while hitting mid range jump shots and three pointers.  DeMarre Carroll out of the University of Missouri, where I was born and raised. Carroll is a solid defender.   I feel that Carroll just fits in great for the Hawks. Kyle Korver is playing the best season of his career.  Korver is currently shooting 49% from the field, 51% from three, and 94% from the free throw line.  If he can keep his three point shooting above 50 percent, up his field goal percentage, and keep remaining hot at the free throw line, Korver will be the first NBA player to shoot 50 percent from the field, 50 percent from three , and 90 percent from the line.  If I'm opposing teams, I wouldn't want to leave Kyle Korver open.  Jeff Teague is having a solid season averaging over 17 points per game, and 7 assists per game.   Teague is entering his 6th year into the league.  Since being drafted 19th in  the 2009 NBA draft,  Teague has improved in scoring each year while entering the NBA.  I have to give not just the players credit for playing so great, I have to give Coach Mike Budenhozler who spent 18 seasons with the  Western Conference NBA Team San Antonio Spurs, 16 years as an assistant coach and 2 years as a video coordinator in the Spurs system.    Mike Budenhozler has to be a candidate for coach of the year.   The Atlanta Hawks deserve at least one player in the All-Star game whether it be Paul Millsap, Al Horford, Kyle Korver or Jeff Teague.





Last night the Atlanta Hawks went up against the Memphis Grizzlies. I wasn't sure what would happen in this game.  The Hawks look to me like the Eastern Conference version of the San Antonio Spurs with their ball movement.  Last night the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 96-86.  Jeff Teague lead the way for Atlanta with 25 points and 6 assists.  Kyle Korver added 14 points on 4 of 9 from three point shooting.   Here are the stats for each team.



Atlanta Hawks top 5 scorers from January 7,2015

Jeff Teague- 25 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 9/14 FG, 4/4 FT, 3/4 3PTFG
Kyle Korver- 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 5/10 FG, 4/9 3PTFG
Pero Antic- 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4/5 FG, 3/4 3PTFG, 2/2 FT
Al Horford- 12 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 5/15 FG, 2/2 FT
Paul Millsap- 11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2/9 FG, 7/8 FT, 0/1 3PTFG


Memphis Grizzlies top 5 scorers from January 7 ,2015

Mike Conley- 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 7/15 FG, 2/5 3PTFG, 1/1 FT
Marc Gasol- 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 6/12 FG, 4/4 FT
Tayshaun Prince- 12 points, 2 rebounds, 5/11 FG, 2/2 FT, 0/1 3PTFG
Courtney Lee- 9 points, 3 assists,  3/9 FG, 1/3 3PTFG, 2/2 FT
Tony Allen- 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4/8 FG



Atlanta Hawks Statistical Categories

Team Field Goal Percentage- 44%
Team Three Point Percentage- 52%
Team Free Throw Percentage- 82%
Team Rebounds- 37  ( 29- Defensive Rebounds and 8 Offensive Rebounds)
Team Assists- 21
Team Steals- 17
Team Turnovers- 17
Team Blocks- 4



Memphis Grizzlies Statistical Categories

Team Field Goal Percentage- 44%
Team Three Point Percentage- 29%
Team Free Throw Percentage- 100% ( 11-11)
Team Rebounds- 39 ( 31- Defensive Rebounds and 8 Offensive Rebounds)
Team Assists- 20
Team Steals- 10
Team Turnovers- 21
Team Blocks- 4



So what are your thoughts on last night's game? What are your thoughts on this 20 of 22 wins? Send me your comments. Thank you for reading Pro Basketball Hoops Land.