Antic sits with back spasms

Hawks center Pero Antic missed Sunday’s game against the Grizzlies due to back spasms. Antic said he suffered the injury in Friday’s game against the Rockets when he was shoved in the back by Dwight Howard while grabbing a rebound. Antic continued to play against the Rockets but when his back was still tight and painful Sunday afternoon the team decided to keep him out.

“It was still warm,” Antic said of his back during the game. “You can deal with that. When it gets cold you can’t. The guys on the medical staff did their best but it’s very tight.”

Gustavo Ayon started in place of Antic, his third start of the season.

Antic had started the past five games at center after coach Mike Budenholzer settled on him as the primary replacement for Al Horford. Elton Brand started the first three games after Horford’s season-ending injury. Budenholzer said that he likes how Brand works with the second unit.

“I really like the second group and kind of what that group has been able to do for us,” Budenholzer said. “Elton does a lot of different things with them. You are never sure what is best but I want to keep with that (group). It also allows (Ayon) to go out there with that starting group. I think he adds a nice dynamic mix.”

Antic has averaged 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in his five starts with 12 3-pointers.

“I’ve never had (a problem) with my back, my knees, it just happened,” Antic said. “It was a strong push. I don’t think it was on purpose. It just happened.”

Ayon has not played the past five games as a coach’s decision. He averaged 3.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in his 13 games this season.

Budenholzer said it has taken some time to develop a second unit, in part because of the return of Lou Williams.

“It’s nice to have some consistency off the bench and know what you are going to get,” Budenholzer said. “I like to keep a mix of guys out there. It’s not like it’s all just bench guys. There are times when it is. If we have a mix of starters and guys off the bench and guys who fit well together, I think ideally we can get to the point where everyone knows their role and is comfortable in it. There is always a bump in the road that comes up and you have to adjust.”

John Jenkins missed his 10th straight game with nerve pain in his leg associated with a lower back injury.

Williams out: The Hawks will not have to deal with Nets guard Deron Williams in their game this week in London. The Nets announced the Williams will not accompany the team overseas for Thursday's game due to a sprained left ankle. The injury kept Williams out of last week's game against the Hawks in Brooklyn.