The Hawks have counted on their bench all season, a luxury in the lockout-compacted NBA schedule.
The reserves have not been a factor in the playoff series with the Celtics through the first four games. It is part of the reason the Hawks find themselves trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
"We definitely are not doing the things we need to do to help the team win right now," reserve guard Jannero Pargo said Monday. "Like I've said all year long, that is one of the strengths of our team. When our bench plays well, we usually win games. Unfortunately through this series, we haven't stepped up to the challenge and help our team win."
The Hawks bench combined to score 17 points in the 83-74 Game 1 win. Reserves scored just 14 in the 87-80 Game 2 loss and 25 in the 90-84 Game 3 loss. They did score 46 points in Sunday’s 101-79 loss in Game 4, but they played much of the second half after the Hawks fell behind by as much as 37 points.
When coach Larry Drew has gone to his bench, the Celtics have often countered by keeping at least two of their top three players -- Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo -- on the floor. This has led to some match-up problems.
Marvin Williams, who started Game 3 in the absence of Josh Smith (knee), has made just 5-of-23 shots (.217) in the series. Pargo has made just 6-of-21 shots (.286) and Willie Green has made 6-of-13 shots and only one 3-pointer. Ivan Johnson has converted 5-of-16 shots (.313) and played just 6:26 in Sunday's Game 4 loss.
“They have not been able to make shots,” Drew said. “We rely on our bench a lot to give us some type of offensive energy. We have guys who are capable of making shots. We have not made shots. That is one of the things that hopefully [Tuesday] night, we can get one or two guys to get on a little bit of a roll.”
Horford returns
Al Horford couldn't wait any longer.
With the Hawks facing a critical Game 4 in Boston Sunday, already trailing in the series, the center made his first appearance since undergoing surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle in January. He said the importance of the game moved up his timetable for a return.
“I’ve been doing my pre-game routines for the last couple of games and it’s one of those things where I got close, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be,” Horford said. “[Sunday], I told them ‘I think I’m ready.’ Obviously, they were excited to hear that. I was a little nervous but I was excited at the same time.”
Horford finished with 12 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
Mentally hurting
The Hawks did not hold a formal practice on Monday after returning from Boston. Drew held a team meeting. Some players received treatment for various ailments and others did some shooting drills.
“I think everybody is OK,” Drew said. “They were a little disappointed when we got back [Sunday] night. Certainly, they had reason to be. We didn’t play very well.
“They next day can be a very trying day. I know from a physical standpoint guys are a little tired, a little banged up. I understand that part of it but mentally, they are more beat up than physically. … I really wanted to take some time, talk to the group and get a feel for where they were, get a feel for where I am and make sure they understand they know where we go from here.”
Rondo hurting Hawks
According to ESPN data, Rondo in Game 4 was the first player with at least 20 points and 16 assists with no more than one turnover in a playoff game since Tim Hardaway for the Warriors in 1991. Hardaway had 27 points, 20 assists and one turnover against the Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Rondo, Hardaway and Magic Johnson are the only players to accomplish this feat in the last 25 years.
Etc.
Since the Hawks opened Game 1 by hitting 12-of-22 shots (.545), they have made just 113-of-303 shots (.373) in the 15 quarters since. … Fans attending Game 5 of the are asked to arrive early due to increased security screening for those entering Philips Arena.
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