There is something about that fourth-quarter defense.
The Hawks lead the NBA, by a wide margin, in allowing an average of just 20.1 points in the final period. The Celtics are second by allowing 25.8 fourth-quarter points.
“One of coach’s methods is to wear teams down,” Kent Bazemore said. “That may be what it is. We have such great depth and guys are playing so well off the bench that over time we wear times out. Human nature in the fourth quarter is to heighten your senses a little bit. For us, that is winning time. Obviously, you want to play well throughout the game but the fourth quarter is where you hone your focus as an individual and as a team.”
The Hawks (7-2) have allowed a low of 13 points (Rockets) and a high of 33 points (Lakers) in the final quarter. They have allowed opponents less than 20 points six times.
In stark contrast, the Hawks are tied for last in the NBA with the Nets by allowing 29.0 third-quarter points.
Overall, the Hawks are second in the league with a team defensive rating of 95.8. They trail only the Clippers at 92.7.
“You can’t rely on that,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said of the fourth-quarter prowess. “It should be from the start of the game to the end of the game. But it’s great that we are showing we can finish games strong and play with that type of intensity.”
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer uses a 20-point quarter as a measure of a solid defensive quarter. He is known to loathe a 30-point quarter.
Here’s how the Hawks’ defense ranks by quarter:
Q1: 5th, 24.1
Q2: 10th, 25.7
Q3: 30th, 29.0
Q4: 1st, 20.1
“Anytime we have a 20-point quarter, he lets us know,” Bazemore said. “He lets us know it’s well appreciated. We play defense. That’s what he loves. That’s what a lot of guys on this team love. It’s our calling card.”
Note: Budenholzer did not attend Monday's practice due to a personal issue. He will be in Miami for the team's game against the Heat on Tuesday.
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