It looks as if Hawks coach Larry Drew's lineup change could be more than just a temporary fix.
Drew started point guard Jeff Teague against the Trail Blazers on Saturday night in an attempt to energize the team. Teague responded with a career-best performance as the Hawks ended their losing streak at four games, and he was in the lineup again Tuesday night vs. Milwaukee.
The Hawks had used a "big" lineup, with 7-footer Jason Collins at center in two previous meetings with the Bucks. This time Al Horford stayed at center, with Teague and Kirk Hinrich at the guard positions and Joe Johnson and Josh Smith playing forward.
Drew said the idea is for the Hawks to counter size with speed while also jolting their stagnant offense.
"What I really like is we have two guys who can get the ball off the glass [Smith and Horford] and initiate the break," Drew said. "It puts such pressure on the defense. We have both Kirk and Jeff who can handle the ball, and Joe. Having all five guys running and racing the lanes, it makes us more effective."
Just play
Hawks guard Jamal Crawford owns the NBA record for four-point plays with 33, including five this season. But Drew said he thinks Crawford goes too far trying to get calls.
"He has a tendency to try to draw fouls, especially at the three-point line, and it throws his shot off," Drew said. "He’s leaning one way, and the ball is going another way. He’s got to just step up and shoot the ball."
Crawford at first expressed skepticism about the connection, but then said there could be something to it.
“All it takes is a second or a hitch or anything, and it changes the way the shot is supposed to go,” he said.
Crawford entered Tuesday's game shooting 42 percent from the field, including 35 percent on 3-pointers. He shot 45 percent and 38 percent, respectively, while winning the Sixth Man Award in 2009-10.
Etc.
The Hawks last played home games on consecutive days in 2007. Atlanta beat Memphis 106-105 on March 9 and defeated Minnesota 99-93 the next day. ... The Hawks encourage fans to ride MARTA or use alternate routes to travel to the game Sunday against Detroit. The Publix Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon starts and ends near Philips Arena.
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