The Hawks’ failure to execute in the final minutes of games has cost the team during the regular season and the playoffs.
The issue reared its ugly head again in the Hawks’ 104-93 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday. The Hawks were outscored 17-5 in the final 4:27 of the game after taking a one-point lead.
“I feel like we definitely learned from that,” Al Horford said Tuesday. “We’ve been in situations like that before this season. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone our way but I’m confident if we are in the position again, we can be better.”
Game 2 of the series is Wednesday.
After reviewing the video of the game, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said the team can be better.
“We feel like there are several areas where we can improve and get better, both ends of the court,” Budenholzer said. “I think it’s encouraging. But I’m sure both coaches, both teams, will see stuff where they can get better. …
“I think we just look at it as we can play better. We obviously had opportunities in the fourth quarter and down the stretch and we weren’t good enough. I don’t look at is as encouraging or discouraging. We just know we can be better.”
In other notes:
* The Hawks held LeBron James to 25 points on 11 of 21 shooting in Game 1. James had entered the game averaging more than 30 points against the Hawks in eight previous playoff games.
“I thought we challenged all his shots, made him earn everything we got,” Horford said. “That was a positive. I felt like we did a good job. We have to contest all his shots and make sure he doesn’t get any easy shots around the basket. If we do that, we will be in good shape.”
* Games 3 and 4 will be played in Atlanta and be broadcast on ESPN on Friday at 7 p.m. and ABC on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The broadcast team for both games will be Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown and Lisa Salters.
* If Game 5 in the series is necessary in the series, scheduled for Tuesday in Cleveland, will be at 7 p.m. on TNT.
* Paul Millsap was again named the winner of the Bob Pettit Award by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches recently. The award is given to the Louisiana Professional Player of the Year.
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