The Hawks dropped their first exhibition game of the preseason with a 101-92 loss to the Heat Sunday night at Philips Arena. The Hawks are now 4-1 with two exhibition games remaining.
The Hawks were done in by a 31-16 third quarter – after the Heat had pulled four of its starters to begin the third period.
Mike Scott led the Hawks with 19 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Korver had 10 points, all in the first quarter. Gerald Green led the Heat with 19 points.
Here are five observations from the game:
Millsap at small forward
When the Hawks acquired Tiago Splitter in the offseason there were questions as to whether they would use a big lineup at times. That would include Paul Millsap at the small forward, Al Horford at power forward and Splitter at center. The Hawks have indeed used the lineup several times this preseason. They did it again against the Heat Sunday, even with Splitter resting, as they started the second quarter with Millsap, Horford and Mike Muscala on the floor at the same time. While it’s just preseason and this is the time to experiment, the big lineup may be part of the scheme.
Tavares progressing
When the Hawks signed Edy Tavares, their 2014 second-round pick, the 7-foot-3 center was still a work in progress. He figured to go to summer league and training camp with the team and see a lot of the NBA Development League. He is starting to make a case to stick around. Tavares has been a surprise during exhibition games. He had one bad – a really bad – half against the Spurs. Otherwise he has been good as he continues to deal with the quickness of the NBA. He won’t be a major part of the Hawks’ rotation come the regular season but he’ll be around more than originally thought. Tavares had seven points, five rebounds, three blocks and three turnovers in 16 minutes.
Competition for 15th spot
Lamar Patterson again saw significant time of those competing for the final roster spot. He entered the game in the second quarter and finished with two points, four assists and two steals in 19 minutes.
The other three in competition for the final spot – Terran Petteway, Earl Barron and DeQuan Jones – did not play.
Sefolosha continues return
Thabo Sefolosha played his most minutes of the preseason. After missing the first two exhibitions, the guard/forward has played eight, 13 and now 19 minutes in his return from a broken leg. He finished with four points, one rebound and one assist. Sefolosha was the first player off the Hawks bench. Coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game he expects Sefolosha will be ready as a regular rotation player by the start of the regular season. He would not commit to Sefolosha being the starter at small forward, a position held by Kent Bazemore for four of the five preseason games.
Poor third quarter
The Hawks took a 51-43 lead into halftime. They started the third quarter with their same starting lineup. The Heat, on the other hand, set four starters to the bench. Their lineup was Mario Chalmers, Tyler Johnson, James Ennis, Josh Richardson and Chris Andersen, who did start the game. The Heat erased the lead in just four minutes and by the end of the period led 74-67 – a 31-16 advantage in the quarter. The Hawks committed just six turnovers in first half and 10 in the third quarter alone. There is still work to be done.
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