Game 1 of the Hawks’ opening-round playoff series against the Pacers will be played Saturday, the NBA announced Wednesday afternoon. It will air on ESPN nationally. SportSouth also will broadcast the game.
The game time was not immediately set and was to be finalized late Wednesday when all the playoff pairings were determined.
The NBA playoffs begin with four games each Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Thunder, Clippers and Raptors (ESPN) will host games. On Sunday, the Spurs (1 p.m.), Heat (3:30 p.m., ABC) and Bulls (7 p.m., TNT) will host games and the Trail Blazers at Rockets series (9:30 p.m., TNT) will begin.
Millsap rests: Paul Millsap was rested for the regular-season finale against the Bucks, the second consecutive game the All-Star forward was given off in advance of the playoffs. DeMarre Carroll and Kyle Korver, who rested Monday against the Bobcats, returned to the starting lineup. Jeff Teague, Pero Antic and Mike Scott, filling in for Millsap, rounded out the unit.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the starters would not play “big” minutes. Remaining healthy to start the playoffs is the priority.
“I think we draw on our experiences,” said Budenholzer, who knows about clinching a playoff berth early from his many seasons with the Spurs. “Whether it is what to do with Paul or how to handle the other guys. It would be inaccurate to say I didn’t learn or didn’t bring past experiences with me. Keeping Paul healthy is important and having a rhythm. There is always a balance between being healthy and keeping a rhythm and keeping your guys sharp and focused. Every coaching staff over the league deals with this stuff. It is not like it is two plus two equals four. You think about it, debate it and make the best decisions you can.”
Light moment: Teague met with former Hawks coach Larry Drew in the hallway at the BMO Harris Bradley Center before the game.
Drew looked at his former point guard and joked: “You flex on me tonight, I’m coming out on the court.”
Drew was referencing Teague’s reaction after a dunk with 27.4 seconds left that sealed the Hawks’ win over the Bucks on March 13.
Deng wins award: The Cavaliers' Luol Deng was named winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award on Tuesday. The Hawks' Kyle Korver was a finalist for the award given annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
The other finalists for the award were the Heat’s Ray Allen, the Spurs’ Matt Bonner and the Thunder’s Kevin Durant.
“The breadth and depth of Luol Deng’s community service elevated him from a deep pool of committed candidates,” PBWA President Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer said. “But, really, all the candidates and their communities are winners.”
The PBWA consists of approximately 175 writers for newspapers, Internet services and magazines who cover the NBA on a regular basis. The award has been given since 1974-75.
Bucks ownership: The Bucks made some ownership news of their own Wednesday. Herb Kohl, owner and president, entered into a signed purchase agreement with Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry for a reported $550 million. The two investors will keep the team in Milwaukee.
Kohl also pledged a $100 million gift for the development of a new arena. The new owners also pledged $100 million toward an arena.
The sale is awaiting league approval before it can be finalized.
The Hawks announced Steve Koonin as a co-owner and CEO earlier this week.
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