A recap of the Hawks’ 110-83 victory over the Celtics in Game 5 Tuesday night:
Three key players
Mike Scott: The Hawks forward was the first big off the bench and finished with a game-high 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting.
Kent Bazemore: The Hawks starting small forward scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers and 12 second-quarter points.
Kyle Korver: The Hawks shooting guard finished with 13 points, including three 3-pointers and 10 third-quarter points.
Five observations
1. Second-quarter fireworks
The Hawks shook off a miserable shooting first quarter with a 32-point second period. They shot 48 percent (12 of 25) from the field and 60 percent (6 of 10) from 3-point range. The quarter included a 26-6 run that turned a 10-point deficit into a 10-point advantage. The Hawks scored on 11 straight possessions in the run.
2. Third-quarter fireworks
The Hawks were even better in the third quarter. They scored 42 points in the period. They shot 61.5 percent (16 of 26) from the field and 45.5 percent (5 of 11) from 3-point range. The quarter included a 23-5 run, with an 18-1 stretch, to make the fourth quarter a formality. The Celtics got as close as five points in the quarter before the decisive run started. The Hawks would lead by 27 points following the quarter and push their lead to as many as 34 points.
3. Trapping Thomas
The Hawks did make a defense adjustment in Game 5. They employed a trap when the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas had the ball and forced him to pass. Following the game, Paul Millsap said the Hawks really hadn’t practiced the strategy specific to Thomas but was pleased with the result, especially how well the other defenders rotated when Thomas got rid of the ball. The playoffs are about adjustments and this one worked for the Hawks. Thomas, who had 42 and 28 points in Games 3 and 4, finished with just seven (on 3 of 12 shooting) before leaving Game 5 with a mild ankle sprain.
4. Scott and Bazemore deliver
Scott may have turned into the X-factor for the Hawks in the series. He was the first substitute – and first big – off the bench as he replaced Al Horford against a small Celtics lineup. In addition to his 17 points, Scott added five rebounds and was a plus-26. Bazemore’s four 3-pointers led the Hawks, who finished 14 of 36 from long range. He hit three 3-pointers in a span of 1:27 seconds as part of the second-quarter that gave the Hawks a double-digit lead. He added five rebounds. “I think what changed is we said ‘Let it fly,’” Bazemore said. “I think we loosened up a little bit in the second quarter.”
5. Millsap and Horford in check
One game after scoring 45 points, Millsap finished with 10 points on 4 of 8 shooting. He missed his first four shots from the field. Horford struggled with his shot as he finished with six points on 2 of 11 shooting after missing his first eight shots. Horford has struggled the last three games of the series with a combined 19 points on 8 of 29 shooting. “They did a good job too defensively but I couldn’t hit the shots that I normally do,” Horford said. “I’ll go back and look at the film and see what I can do. I know I was rushing a little bit at the beginning. I’m confident that I’ll be able to bounce back.” Both Hawks big men finished with eight rebounds.
About the Author
