There has been little question about the impact of DeMarre Carroll during these playoffs.
The Hawks starting small forward has put up impressive numbers in the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Nets. Although the No. 1 seed Hawks are locked in a 2-2 series with the No. 8 Nets, through those first four games Carroll averaged 15.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He shot .489 (23 of 47) from the field and .428 (9 of 21) from 3-point range. Those numbers include a two-point Game 2.
“I’m just trying to be active, be active on both ends, the offense and the defense,” Carroll said Wednesday before Game 5. “I’m just knocking down my shots.”
Carroll’s numbers on the Nets’ home floor were staggering. In Games 3 and 4 he was a combined 17 of 27 from the field, 7 of 10 from 3-point range, with 42 points.
The unrestricted free agent to be is showing the entire NBA that he is more than a defensive specialist.
“He’s been a hell of a player for us for two years now,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He brings so much to the table. His competitive spirit, his competitive juices, really fills us up. I think we all feed off of him. He continues to play well and impact the game on both ends of the court. He’s huge.”
Prior to joining the Hawks, Carroll appeared in just four playoff games with the Jazz. He averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. In seven playoff games with the Hawks last season against the Pacers, Carroll averaged 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds. The offensive production has also been a sharp increase from the regular season when Carroll averaged 12.6 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Carroll was particularly active in Game 4, a 120-115 overtime loss. He had nine rebounds and seven of them were on the offensive end.
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