The Hawks tweaked their defensive approach as Saturday’s game wore on against the Knicks, but the difference between the first and second halves that Paul Millsap described as, “night and day,” had more to do with the players’ energy than schematic changes.
In limiting New York to 35 points and 34.2 percent shooting in the second half after surrendering 61 points and 58.7 percent shooting in the first half, Atlanta simply brought the juice. The result was a 103-96 victory at Philips Arena.
On the way to a 61-48 halftime deficit, the Hawks looked like a team with legs deadened by Friday night’s 122-119 double-overtime loss at Charlotte.
After coach Mike Budenholzer got into them at halftime, the Hawks looked like a new bunch.
“The difference was night and day, man,” Milsap said after finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds. “We decided to come out and be aggressive. We made a commitment to get the job done and it showed.”
Millsap had his hands full defending Carmelo Anthony early as the New York star scored 14 first-quarter points on 6-for-10 shooting.
He added just six points on 2-for-10 after that, as Thabo Sefolosha, DeMarre Carroll and others took turns with Millsap defending.
Most importantly, the Hawks added pep to their steps.
Dennis Schroder pitched in five steals, including two as Atlanta closed the third quarter with a 9-0 run, and Kyle Korver – yes, Korver – blocked three shots.
“Coach really challenged us at halftime, and guys responded,” Korver said after scoring a game-high 27 points. “We made a couple adjustments, but most of it was we lost in double overtime last night and we came out really sluggish while they came out with a lot of pop. We needed halftime to come and regroup.”
Budenholzer offered praise for many, and singled out a couple for their defense.
“We were more focused on our defense,” the head coach said. “[Schroder] and Thabo I think coming off the bench had a big impact on the game. They can really set a tone for us and flip things defensively.”
The Knicks made just 5-of-18 shots in the third quarter, when Schroder had three steals, including two late in the period that led to baskets by him and Sefolosha.
About the Author
